About

The History of Steele Canvas Basket

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  • 1921

    Steele Canvas was founded in Cambridge, MA.

  • 1950

    Steele moves to new location at 199 Concord Turnpike in Cambridge, Ma expanding their operations.

  • 1966

    Steele's first residential gift guide published featuring sling chairs, log carriers, and tote bags.

  • 1975

    John Lordan at an industrial trade show in Washington D.C. showing the Postmaster General how Steele manufactures baskets for enhanced durability.

  • 1984

    Steele launched their best selling Steeletex vinyl beach totes in small and large sizes while expanding their assortment of canvas tote bags.

  • 2009

    Steele featured in Martha Stewart Living, increasing the demand for their home laundry and storage products.

  • 2020

    Steele shifted manufacturing focus and began producing cloth masks, donating over 40,000 masks to frontline workers.

  • 2022

    Boston Red Sox use a Steele Truck to celebrate home runs during their 2021-2022 season, even featuring a J.D. Martinez bobblehead in a truck after his 3-home run outing.

  • 2023

    Steele moves to new manufacturing facility in Wilmington, MA expanding their operations.

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Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Made in America

since

1921

·

Founded in 1921 on Hamilton Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Steele Canvas Basket began as a small manufacturer of rugged canvas products for the New England coal and textile industries. With a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and reliability, Steele quickly became a trusted name, expanding beyond regional roots to serve industries across the country.

More than a century later, the legacy continues. Many of our original manufacturing methods are still in use today, a testament to the time-honored techniques that have defined our brand since day one. While our product line has evolved to include a wide range of durable goods for the home, the quality and care that built our name remain unchanged.

Now led by second-generation owners—and brothers—John and Paul Lordan, Steele is still proudly family-owned and operated. With deep respect for our history and an eye toward the future, we continue to craft every product in the U.S.A., honoring the traditions that started it all. Built to last and made with purpose, Steele products reflect a century of craftsmanship and a commitment to the community we’ve called home for over 100 years.

Today, Steele stands as a symbol of enduring American manufacturing. Every basket, bag, and bin we produce carries the spirit of hard work and heritage—designed not just to serve a function, but to become part of your everyday life. From bustling workshops to family homes, our products are trusted to organize, carry, and endure. We source the highest quality materials and employ skilled artisans who take pride in every stitch, weld, and seam. As we look ahead, our mission remains rooted in integrity: to create goods that meet life’s demands with timeless style and strength—products as resilient as the people who use them.