About Us

Transforming what’s next.

Whether it’s a 50,000-seat stadium or bleachers to revamp your athletic field, we strive to take every project to the next level. Enhance the spectator experience with best-in-class functionality, safety, aesthetics and comfort.

Our History

We stand for innovation.

Since 1979, we’ve built client relationships upon trust, collaboration and innovation – allowing us to stand alone as the industry’s leader in stadium seating and bleacher manufacturing.

  • Dant Clayton's original stadium seating manufacturer facility.
    1979

    Facilities

    We constructed a 15,000-square-foot building in Louisville, KY, and opened our doors for business.

  • Dant Clayton's signature aluminum bleacher bench and bleacher seating.
    1979

    Alum-A-Stand

    We introduced the first all-aluminum tube and channel understructure bleacher in the marketplace. It’s five times stronger and ten times stiffer than the conventional angle frame bleacher.

  • Aluminum decking system created by Dant Clayton.
    1986

    Welded Deck System

    We became the first company to enable aluminum grandstands to provide water control with this new product.

  • Dant Clayton's second stadium seating manufacturer facility.
    1990

    Facilities

    In a move that more than doubled our previous space, manufacturing relocated to a 40,000-square-foot facility in Jeffersonville, IN.

  • Stadium seats with backs.
    1992

    Colosseum-One Chair

    We introduced the first ergonomically designed, one-piece stadium chair.

  • Stadium bleacher seats.
    1994

    Colosseum-Two Chair

    Created to provide spectators with a comfortable, contoured upgrade to the traditional aluminum bleacher, this chair also defined seat space and allowed for a more aesthetically appealing product within a grandstand.

  • Closure panels created by Dant Clayton enclose the areas around a grandstand.
    1996

    Closure Panels

    This was the first product in our industry that provided an architectural method of enclosing the areas around a grandstand. Prior to this, aluminum extrusion was the only option available for customers.

  • Dant Clayton's third stadium seating manufacturer facility.
    1998

    Facilities

    Steel production relocated to a new 110,000-square-foot facility on Bernheim Lane in Louisville, KY, complete with all new equipment.

  • Custom bleacher seats and aluminum rail.
    1998

    Powder Coat

    In an effort to appeal to more architects and also increase excitement and fan experience, powder coating was introduced. This provided color options in an industry previously dominated by galvanized material finishes.

  • Dant Clayton aluminum deck railing.
    2000

    Vertical Picket Rail

    Until this time, the only stand rails available were chain link fence or multi-line rails. This product was originally used in commercial/institution construction. Its progression to the stadium industry seemed a natural fit and offered a more aesthetic solution for grandstands.

  • Dant Clayton built a facility in Louisville, KY, to grow their bleacher manufacturing process.
    2002

    Facilities

    To enable company growth and to modernize manufacturing processes, aluminum production moved to a 200,000 square foot facility on Algonquin Parkway in Louisville, KY. This move expanded total production space to 350,000 square feet.

  • Dant Clayton's decking system - featuring stain and slip-resistant decking.
    2003

    Slip Resistant Deck

    After continuous customer feedback and concern that bleachers became slippery when wet, we sought a solution to the problem. Following 12 months of research, we developed and introduced a walking surface with the same slip resistance as broom-finished concrete.

  • Dant Clayton's stadium design includes premium closure systems.
    2007

    Architectural Panel System

    On recognizing the demand for this product in the industry, we introduced a premium closure system that mirrored the look and feel of masonry — at a fraction of the cost.

  • 2010

    Colosseum-One Classic Vented Series Chair

    We took the Colosseum-One chair to the next level by providing increased ventilation and enhanced seat drainage with this updated version.

  • A view of Dant Clayton's hybrid stadium systems.
    2010

    Hybrid Precast Stadium System

    We recognized a performance and price void in the marketplace between conventional precast and steel/aluminum stadium structures. Our Hybrid Precast Stadium System provides all the benefits of a complete concrete stadium at a significantly reduced cost.

  • Dant Clayton decking system - featuring slip and stain-resistant decking.
    2013

    Slip and Stain Resistant Deck

    Taking our slip-resistant decking to the next level, this textured thermo-bonded deck finish option creates not only a skid-resistant surface, but one that eliminates oxidization staining as well. Applied in a single process, this feature can be provided at a manageable cost and yields an attractive finish that addresses all the important decking needs.

  • Long-span aluminum seat concepts is one of Dant Clayton's premium bleacher seating products.
    2014

    Long Span Aluminum Riser System

    Continuing to supply the marketplace gap between conventional precast and steel/aluminum stadiums, we introduced the lightest and most durable stadium riser package available. Weighing 25% less than precast, this system generates simplicity and cost savings within any stadium or arena structure. Its sleek, clean, and modern look from all sides helps this system to stand out aesthetically, providing for new design opportunities not typically considered with other systems.

  • Tuttle assists Dant Clayton in the production of aluminum rail for their stadium systems.
    2015

    Railing Line Acquisition

    In an effort to provide clients with a more complete premium stadium product offering, Tuttle Railings Systems, a leading fabricator specializing in non-ferrous handrails for commercial and industrial construction projects, was acquired. A portion of the production for the railing product line was relocated to the Dant Clayton Aluminum Plant in Louisville, KY.

  • Mid-Span Aluminum photo at Rupp Arena
    2019

    Mid-Span Aluminum 

    Further progressing our alternative stadia products, we introduced this riser system which took another 10% of the weight out of the overall structure while maintaining durability and quality with reduced cost and production time. Perfect for taller riser applications, this product features non-visible fasteners and offers further sound-deadening qualities.  

  • Dant Clayton premium aluminum deck railing product.
    2020

    Pre-Engineered Railing ~ Elite Designer Series 

    Increasing product speed to market, our railing division launched the Elite Designer Series, a flexible modular railing line. This pre-engineered, component-based offering has reduced installation times and greater accuracy of engineering and strength of assemblies at a lower price point than custom options.

  • I-Beam Grandstand featuring custom bleacher seats and aluminum rail.
    2021

    Game Ready Grandstand Line

    Seeking a solution for restricted budgets in the education sector, we created a line of pre-engineered I-Beam modules comprised of the same quality components as our custom grandstands, that could be easily added on to in the future. Including our most popular features, these modules offer speed, predictability, and quality at a lower price point, ensuring our clients are game ready!

  • Pre-engineered press box design. Press box installation can be done by Dant Clayton and added to a grandstand.
    2022

    Game Ready Press Box 

    Expanding on our Game Ready Grandstand line, we launch pre-engineered press box in six of our most popular sizes. As these boxes can be built from stock in a modular fashion, they offer cost savings and reduced lead times to the market.

  • Photo of the Apex Railing system in use.
    2023

    Apex Railing 

    Looking to create a more substantial and continuous railing option with favorable sightlines, we launched our newest rail option, Apex, which offers a continuous rail across fully welded 18′ assemblies.

Image of Railing and Bleacher seats

Our Products

Raising the game.

Complete a new construction or enhance a renovation project with a customized system. From design and fabrication to manufacturing and final installation – Dant Clayton meets the full range of project needs.

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Leadership.

A team united for a single purpose: unrivaled stadium experiences.

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Bruce Merrick
Chairman
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Jonathan O’Leary
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Rob Heinrich
Chief Operating Officer
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Don Eisner
Vice President of Finance
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Jamie Richardson, DBIA
Vice President of Project Delivery
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Jim Lewis
Director of Sales and Preconstruction Services
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Amanda Caufield
Director of Marketing and Sales Operations and Corporate Secretary
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Quinn Tuttle
President of Tuttle, a Dant Clayton Division

Project Leadership.

Guiding projects to success through seamless coordination and meticulous planning.

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Dan Fjeldheim
Business Development Manager
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Adam Zahn, PE
Preconstruction Design and Engineering Leader
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Tom Moon
Architectural Sales Director at Tuttle, a Dant Clayton Division

Careers at Dant Clayton

Join the Team.

For questions about open positions, please contact Human Resources Director, Dan Hennessy.

PHONE: 800-626-2177 | EMAIL: dhennessy@dantclayton.com

full time
Construction Project Manager - Louisville, KY
full time
Construction Technician - Louisville, KY
full time
Commercial Railing Project Designer (3D/2D) - Fishers, IN
full time
Construction Project Manager - Fishers, IN
full time
Construction Project Manager - Columbus, OH (Remote)