CISCO construction nearing completion

FERRIS – Contractors Iron & Steel I, LLC company will be relocating to Ferris when construction of their new steel fabrication building is completed.

CISCO is a fabricator of structural and other steel used in the building of churches, schools, industrial warehouse, retail centers, office buildings and high-end residential buildings.

“We can fabricate anything requiring large steel,” stated Chase Leavell, one of the two partners of CISCO.

CISCO is expecting to be finished with construction of the new steel fabrication facility, located at 2824 FM 660 east of Ferris at the intersection of FM 660 and FM 780, by the end of August. 

All columns are up, roof trusses, joist and girders are installed, the runway beams supporting the overhead cranes with a 50’ width between columns are installed. The new building is 1,000’ x 100’ and will have a total of 10 overhead cranes capable of transporting and carrying up to five tons each.  

CISCO is relocating from their current location 2601 N. Beckley Ave. in Dallas, where it has been since 1963/64.  

Chase said, “We chose Ferris for relocation because it was the most affordable site in the DFW area, and are really excited to finally see completion in sight.”

The early season heavy rains, the heaviest in 22 years here in north Texas, has pushed back the completion date by at least three and half to four months.

They first anticipated completion in April, then more rains pushed it to June, then more rain poured down causing delays, and now with dry weather they are looking to be completed up and running by the end of August.

Chase Leavell’s great-great-grandfather, William J. Wyatt, (d. 1938) moved to Oak Cliff in the late 1800’s and started building boilers at Atlas Metal, on Singleton Ave. in Dallas. After working there for a while he ventured off on his own and started Wyatt Industries.

CISCO a is multi-generational business and was started by Chase’s grandfather, Mike Leavell. Mike Leavell (d. 1975) then to Chase’s father, Don Leavell, who retired in 2018 and uncle Steve Leavell, who retired 2022.

“We offer our employees steady work with competitive wages plus benefits of group health, life insurance, vision and dental and 401K plan with matching contributions,” stated Chase. Chase added, “There is a 90-day trail period for new hires, and they’ll find we are a tight knit group – and it is important to us to provide an extra layer of support for our dedicated employees.  

“Currently we have 35 employees with 24-25 working in the shop daily, where they utilize saws, punches and welders to produce the end products.”

Once moved into their new location here in Ferris, Chase said, “We would like to increase our employees to 45 with 34-35 working in the shop. Our current average employee has been with us for nine to nine and half years.”  

Owners Chase Leavell and Mark Hestwood said, “We are excited about our future in Ferris. We are planning on being up and running this August.”