During the 1850s, the steel industry flourished throughout the United States, creating a high demand for ash timber, which is the wood used for tool handles because of its weight, strength, and size. A lot of steel goods companies opened in response to this demand. And after a century and a half of mergers and consolidation, the most enduring company, founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1890, has spawned--the company we know today as UnionTools. In 2006, UnionTools joined the Ames family of companies and continues to market quality tools.