From Humble Beginnings
In 1948, Jim Feeney opened the doors of Feeney® Wire Rope & Rigging in an old soap factory building located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, California. The post-war San Francisco Bay Area was booming with military, maritime and construction business. Feeney quickly gained a solid reputation as a company that provided quality rigging products and superior service. With hard work, a dedicated staff, and an expanding list of satisfied customers, Feeney soon grew to become one of the leading suppliers of custom rigging and hardware in the region. This position still holds true today.
In 1979, Ernest S. Ralston purchased Feeney with an eye toward the future. With an enthusiastic, open-minded approach to business, he, along with other family members and staff, were able to incorporate new ideas and new products into the mix, allowing them to expand into new markets beyond traditional industrial rigging.
A History of Innovation
In 1988, Feeney introduced the CableRail line of architectural cables and fittings in response to a new and growing interest by architects and builders for modern and unobtrusive railing infill product. The line was extremely well-received, but the wide array of cable and fitting options was complicated and simplification was needed.
Feeney alleviated any customer confusion by unveiling CableRail Standard Assemblies, now called CableRail Kits. These are prefabricated cable assemblies sold in standardized lengths that could be trimmed to exact size in the field, and they incorporated Feeney’s automatic jaw-locking QuickConnect® fitting. These assemblies were simple to understand, easy to use, economical and beautifully unobtrusive making them perfect for projects with a view. Sales took off and a new railing infill market was born in the U.S.
In 1998, Feeney expanded its operations and opened a Northwest facility in Eugene, Oregon, to develop its architectural line, specifically aluminum railing frame systems. Feeney was now able to offer its customers not only CableRail cables, but also a complete railing system with cable, glass panel or picket infill options. The railings were first introduced under the CableRail brand, but are now marketed under their own brand, DesignRail®. This product addition solidified Feeney’s position as a significant and influential voice in the rapidly expanding railing market.
The Legacy Lives On
Today, the company goes by the name Feeney, Inc., is owned and operated by Katrina Ralston and Grissell Ralston. Feeney is focused on the development of new and innovative product offerings, as well as traditional industrial rigging services, fabrication and hardware. Feeney is based in Oakland, California with employees across the country.