Ashcraft Self Storage Celebrates 100 Years as a Pennsylvania Family Business

Ashcraft Inc., a Monogahela, Pa.-based provider of self-storage and other services, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The family-owned company has evolved from an industrial hauling business to storage, operating Ashcraft Self Storage, Ashcraft Records Management and Storage, and Ashcraft Truck Rental.

August 7, 2013

1 Min Read
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Ashcraft Inc., a Monogahela, Pa.-based provider of self-storage and other services, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The family-owned company has evolved from an industrial hauling business to storage, operating Ashcraft Self Storage, Ashcraft Records Management and Storage, and Ashcraft Truck Rental.

The company built its first self-storage facility in 1983 and today offers 40,000 square feet of self-storage and 9,000 square feet of records storage on 13 acres. In order for a business to continue for 100 years, a lot of changes have to be made, said George Ashcraft, 79, company president. You have to be aware when and how to make changes or you do not succeed.

Ashcrafts father Harry launched the family business with his brother Clarence in 1913, hauling commercial and industrial loads using teams of horses. Clarence returned to farming in 1919, but Harry continued operating the business under the name Ashcraft Brothers.

When trucks became popular in the 1920s, he bought trucks, Ashcraft said. But he kept his last team of horses until 1928 because he was not sure if these trucks were going to work.

The company added concrete work to its resume during the 1920s but continued to expand its hauling business. George Ashcraft joined the company in 1952 hauling concrete and moving houses. He took over the business from his father in 1961, steering the company into the self-storage industry during the 1980s.

Ashcrafts son, Alan, and daughter, Nora Muccino, both work for the company today, continuing the family legacy.

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