Finkl Steel Mill 
Large-format Photography Exhibit 
300 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago IL through September 5, 2014.

540 W. Madison, Chicago IL  September - January 2015

This exhibit takes us through the last days of the old steel mill on the north side and the transition to the modern facility on the south side. Though the process of making steel is is pretty much the same now as 100 years ago, you will never be able to replicate the imagery that came from the older facilities.

The Past is Prologue...

Finkl & Sons Co. was founded in 1879 when German immigrant Anton Finkl developed a new kind of chisel to clean bricks from buildings destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. In 1902, A. Finkl & Sons Co. moved to Chicago’s Near North Side. After more than a century, Finkl & Sons relocated to its current 500,000 sq. ft. facility
on Chicago’s South Side in 2011.

... And the Future is Being Forged Today

From its simple beginnings, Finkl is now the world’s leading supplier of forging die steels, plastic mold steels, die casting tool steels and custom open-die forgings, processing 100,000 tons of steel each year. Since the 1800s, Finkl has maintained a commitment to manufacture 100 percent of its products in Chicago. These products are distributed domestically and to more than 18 countries worldwide. With more than 100 patents to its credit, Finkl’s steel formulations and steelmaking technologies set worldwide standards. Finkl’s facilities are on the leading edge of technology, using the most automated processes in the world. In recognition of Finkl’s product quality, Finkl was the first integrated steel manufacturer in America to receive ISO 9001 certification.


Charles Cherney is an award winning editorial, portrait and commercial photographer based in Chicago. Charles works with a variety of clients ranging from high end corporations to individuals to create original photography, video and branding. Charles has received many awards for his work including a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism as part of the Chicago Tribune staff and was twice named the Chicago Press Photographer of the Year. Cherney has covered assignments all over the world as well as every major U.S. sporting event; his career highlights include the Bosnian conflict, the Winter Olympic Games in France and Canada, and the six Chicago Bulls Championships.

Please visitwww.CharlesCherneyPhotography.com to view a comprehensive sample of his work.