In 1981, Dink Bennett opened the doors of True Edge, Inc. in Lebanon, Ohio. The company started as an industrial knife grinding operation that also did some machine work. For the next 18 years the company continued as a successful business, staying small and focusing on delivering to local customers.
Fast forwarding to 1999, Jerry Monnin joined the company and True Edge, Inc. added welding and fabricating capabilities to serve their growing commercial customer base. Dink Bennett continued to maintain the knife grinding operation while Jerry handled the welding and fabricating division as the sole employee. Jerry’s extensive background in welding and fabricating quickly elevated him to the role of division manager as he expanded the size and capabilities of his team.
Aa the company continued to grow and expand, Dink Bennett retired and transitioned ownership to his son, Alex Bennett, and his daughter-in-law, Connie Bennett. True Edge’s product line broadened to include material handling carts, conveyer lines, and stairs and rails, along with power plant repair kits and carbon steel dock stairs.
These are the roots upon which True Step grew and continues to expand. In 2015, IDI Gazeley, now IDI Logistics, approached Jerry with a business proposition. Could True Edge design and manufacture aluminum loading dock stairs? Prior to this, most dock stairs were built with carbon steel, which is heavy, cumbersome, and time intensive. The aluminum option offered a lighter product that lasted longer and was easier to manufacture. Jerry responded to IDI Logistics with “Well, we make dock stairs and we can do aluminum, so let’s combine them.” Thus, True Step was born and what started out as an idea became a reality.
That innovation fueled continued growth as the aluminum loading dock stair became the new standard of excellence sought by the warehouse construction industry. The True Step aluminum loading dock stairs are manufactured solely in Ohio and are shipped throughout the USA.
In 2022, Jerry Monnin and Jeff Kenny formed True Step, LLC and acquired the assets of True Edge, Inc. in a management buyout. They are continuing the legacy as a family company with small town customer service, high-touch project management, new technology, and innovation – delivering the best aluminum loading dock stairs in the industry.