In The Cradle of Industry and Liberty

The story of Tioga Pipe is a classic post
World War II story of hustle, risk, entrepreneurship,
and success that started during the
golden years of Philadelphia’s industrial growth.
Before World War II, Morton Keiser, the
founder of Tioga Pipe Supply Co., Inc.
(“Tioga”), who was born in Philadelphia in
1918, worked in a local steel pipe yard as
a foreman. He served in the Fighting 69th
Infantry Division in the European Theatre and
upon his return was offered his former job.
Mort, as everyone called him, declined the
offer because he saw opportunities to strike
out on his own and be his own boss. After
making deals and “warehousing” material
out of his car for a long stretch of time, he
used his savings to purchase a permanent
warehouse located at the corner of Tulip
and Tioga Streets in Philadelphia. Tioga is
named after the Tioga Indians who were
the first inhabitants of the area. According
to unconfirmed legend, “Tioga” roughly
translates into the words “fair traders.”
Tioga was formally incorporated in 1946 and
during this post-war time period Philadelphia,
as well as the country’s growing industrial
complex, had an appetite for steel products.
Throughout the decades, Tioga’s commitment
to customers has helped it grow from
its humble beginnings into one of the top
suppliers of critical materials in the world.
As the company and the second generation,
and more recently the third
generation, joined the workforce to run
the company, Tioga grew and found
many new industrial markets both
domestically and internationally. In
addition to geographic expansion,
Tioga incorporated more value-added
services and diverse product lines.
Some of the new offerings and services
included nickel alloys, specialized
heavy wall products, military specifications,
chrome moly, stainless, nuclear,
navy nuclear, end preparation, inventory
management offerings, in house
destructive/non-destructive/hydro testing
and project management.
The Tioga Pipe story is chock full
of great anecdotes and memories of a
family business, amazing coworkers,
integrity, successes, customers, vendors, and
growth. The common core throughout the
years has been the spirit of Mort—the
founder and patriarch of the company who
had a stellar work ethic, was very charitable
in his own quiet way and had a reputation
as one of the all-time most recognized names
in the industry. Although Mort passed away
in 2007, his impact lives on.
Mort was the recipient of many awards
throughout his career and one in particular
was his induction into the Hall of Fame of
the NASPD (National Association of Steel Pipe
Distributors) posthumously in 2013.
@
TIOGA PIPE
Above: Morton Keiser, the founder of
Tioga Pipe Supply Co., Inc.
Below: The original Tioga Pipe Supply Co.,
Inc. located at the corner of Tulip and Tioga
Streets in Philadelphia.
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