Steel Product Producers
Leadership changes at Zekelman Industries, Atlas Tube
Written by Laura Miller
August 19, 2025
Zekelman Industries has shifted the leadership of its executive team with two internal promotions.
On Tuesday, the Chicago-based pipe and tube manufacturer announced Jeff Cole as its new chief operating officer. And succeeding him as president of Atlas Tube will be Chris Hoyt.
“The appointments of Jeff and Chris, and the changes to our structure will drive operating performance and customer service to even higher levels,” stated Tom Muth, president of Zekelman’s pipe and tube division. “We are dedicated to fostering leadership that aligns with our company values and vision for growth, innovation, and customer-focused solutions.”
Jeff Cole began his career as a mill operator at Atlas Tube 32 years ago and has been with the company ever since.
As COO, Cole will lead plant operations and engineering across all of Zekelman’s pipe and tube divisions.
Chris Hoyt has served as vice president of sales for Atlas Tube since joining the company in 2022. Before that, he held sales leadership positions across the US steel industry.
As president, Hoyt will have direct oversight of Atlas Tube’s sales, service, and production planning teams.
Atlas Tube is North America’s largest producer of structural steel tubing, with seven mill locations in Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Ontario. It was founded in Ontario in 1984 by Harry Zekelman, the late father of Zekelman Industries’ current CEO, Barry Zekelman. Zekelman Industries has 19 manufacturing locations spread across its family of operating companies that include Atlas Tube, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Picoma, and Z Modular.
Laura Miller
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