Industry Leader and Manufacturer of Carbon Steel Wire
Founded in 1967 by John T. Johnson, Sr., Mid-South Wire is a leading maker of carbon steel wire. John T. Johnson, Jr. now leads the business with the same guiding values and commitment to excellence as his father. We are a family business committed to providing quality products and excellent services. Headquartered in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, with a second location in Scott City, Missouri, Mid-South Wire runs more than 30 state-of-the-art-wire-drawing machines. Our specialty wires include plating-quality, galvanized, and shaped. We also run a large tractor-trailer fleet and a unique barge system on the Cumberland River to ensure quick, economical delivery for our customers. You can count on us for on-time delivery, every time.
MID-SOUTH WIRE
From the time that John T. “Killer” Johnson, Sr. started Mid-South with a single “side-winder” machine, the company has continued to grow and improve its operations each and every year. There have been a lot of changes since our humble beginnings in 1967 but through it all Mid-South Wire remains true to its family values and steadfast in our commitment to customer service.
Our First Wire-Drawing Machine
David Rollins traveled to Chicago Wire Sales, just outside the city, to explore how they could begin drawing their own wire instead of relying on integrated steel mills. During the visit, he purchased a used "sidewinder" bull block wire-drawing machine from a business on Chicago's South Side, located on 179th Street between Western Avenue and Cicero. That very machine now sits outside Mid-South Wire’s offices, a lasting tribute to the moment that started it all.
David Rollins
After several years of hands-on experimentation and learning in the basement of Nashville Display, David’s efforts led to a pivotal decision, to establish a dedicated, stand-alone company.
John T. "Killer" Johnson
Recognizing the potential to supply wire not only to Nashville Display but also to other wire-buying companies across the growing Southeast, David knew he couldn’t do it alone. He turned to his childhood friend and neighbor, John T. "Killer" Johnson, and invited him to join the company as a partner.
The Poplar Avenue Building
To meet growing demand and expand its production capabilities, Mid-South Wire relocated to its own facility on Poplar Avenue. The new building included an acid-cleaning house, further enhancing the company's capabilities and positioning it for continued growth.
The New Visco Drive Building
As the company continued its rapid growth, it quickly outgrew the Poplar Avenue facility and began searching for a larger space to support its expanding operations. This led to the purchase of the Visco Drive property, which provided Mid-South with direct river access and a dedicated railroad siding, key advantages for future growth.
"Killer" Johnson & Stan Fossick posing with company truck
The Mid-South Wire team was made up of a unique group of individuals, including Jerry Rogers, who served as the company’s first truck driver, and Stan Fossick, who joined in 1969 to lead sales efforts.
The original invitation to the Open House Celebration
Mid-South kicked off the 1970s by celebrating its move to the new — and current — Visco Drive location with a special open house event. The celebration featured a plant tour, a treasure chest prize drawing, and a memorable group visit to the Grand Ole Opry for all attendees.
Truck driver Leroy McComb (left) poses with Jerry Rogers & "Killer" Johnson
As Mid-South Wire entered the automotive industry, landing major seating customers like Lear Seigler, Hoover Universal, and Johnson Controls, its “Just-in-Time” delivery model became a key competitive advantage. With in-stock inventory and a dedicated fleet of trucks, MSW offered speed and flexibility that integrated mills simply couldn’t match, a groundbreaking approach at the time.
Aerial shot of the flooded Cumberland River
While the move to the riverfront location brought a significant competitive advantage, it also came with risk. In the summer of 1975, the Cumberland River flooded, causing substantial damage to Mid-South Wire’s equipment and inventory. Despite the setback, the company’s strong team and “can-do” spirit powered a swift cleanup and quick return to business.
John T. Johnson Jr. Joins His Father, "Killer" Johnson, Hands-On in the Rod yard
Although John T. Johnson Jr. had been a familiar face at Mid-South Wire throughout his upbringing, he officially joined the company in 1985 at age 22 after graduating from the University of Alabama. His father, "Killer," sent him on the road in a four-door Oldsmobile, tasking him with finding new customers by visiting every industrial park he passed and combing through local phone books along the way.
"Killer", Stan & John T
Mentored by Stan Fossick, John T. Jr. quickly found his footing in sales. Together, they helped secure two major accounts in the 1980s — Copperweld, a globally recognized cable manufacturer, and Lee Rowan, a closet shelving company later acquired by Rubbermaid. Both remain among Mid-South Wire’s largest customers today.
Game-Changing Wire-Drawing Machines
The installation of Mid-South Wire’s first high-speed, multi-pass Morgan Koch drawing machine marked a major step forward, significantly increasing production speed and efficiency.
The New Pickle Room
We installed a new state-of-the-art and environmentally-friendly pickle room. The new pickle room, used to clean scale and rust from wire rod before drawing, added capacity and efficiency to the growing operations.
Expanding to 1070 Visco Has given MSW the ability to grow
Mid-South Wire purchased the 1070 Visco Drive building, expanding its footprint to include more rod yard space, additional production areas, and new office and meeting facilities.
the overhead rail system is still in operation today, over 20 years after installation
A new overhead railcar-unloading system was installed, replacing the mobile crane and allowing a single operator to unload railcars remotely — improving both efficiency and ease of operation.
A spool of galvanized wire stands as a testament to the growing opportunities this capability brings to the company.
We introduced our first galvanizing line, expanding both our capabilities and product offerings. However, this addition also increased operational complexity, as galvanizing lines typically run 24 hours a day.
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