News Blog Archives - Page 6 of 15 - National Material Company

31 03, 2021

Demand For Steel Processing Grows in 2021

andre2021-03-31T18:34:29+00:00March 31st, 2021|News Blog|

Leading steel processor National Material Company, like the rest of the steel industry, is watching carefully as steel demand recovers in 2021. As the coronavirus pandemic affected all areas of the global economy, 2020 was a year like no other, and we are grateful for the cautious hope the new year brings.

As supply chains continue to stabilize, shipments of raw materials from other countries and manufacturing of parts has resumed. The World Steel Association says it expects steel demand to recover in 2021 to 1,717 million metric tons, an increase of 3.8 percent compared with 2020. The recovery of steel demand will be more visible in the second half of 2021, World Steel predicts, and will be driven by construction, especially infrastructure investment, as the government has put forward several new infrastructure initiatives.

What does this mean for American steel processors? According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, steelmakers idled about one-third of domestic production capacity for flat-rolled steel last spring when their customers canceled orders and closed plants to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Since many factories reopened a month or two later, steel demand for cars, appliances, and machinery has rebounded, thanks, in part, to rising purchases from homebound consumers.

From Nasdaq:

American steel stocks have seen recent gains on hopes that the sizable infrastructure spending would have a beneficial effect on the U.S. steel industry given the expected increase in consumption of the commodity that is used to make almost everything from rail tracks to roads to bridges and tunnels.

Steel makers are seeing strong order booking in automotive. Recovery in the automotive industry has accelerated following pandemic-led shutdowns on the back of strong customer demand. The automotive rebound is driving demand for flat steel products globally.

Moreover, the revival in the construction sector globally is driving demand for long and flat steel products in this major market. The construction sector has also bounced back on the heels of a resumption of projects that were stalled earlier due to supply chain disruptions and manpower shortage. In particular, the non-residential construction market remains resilient (read full article here).

Response to adversity is what will determine the outcome of the story. Historically, the American steel industry is as resilient as it gets, built on a foundation that literally supports our entire country’s infrastructure.

As OEMs and large companies that utilize steel processing services take another step forward into 2021, they may be wise to ask themselves, “Are there strategic partnerships that will strengthen competitive positioning and business resiliency?” After all, in the steel industry, great end products await at the end of the rainbow.

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Why National Material Company?

As a leader in steel processing capabilities, supply chain management, and inventory control, NMC is the perfect choice for any customer in search of the best experience possible. A dedicated workforce, state-of-the-art slitters, cut-to-length lines, and warehouse storage capabilities make NMC the premiere steel manufacturing company in North America. Locations throughout the United States and […]

8 02, 2021

Steel’s Versatility: Why the Steel Industry Stands the Test of Time

andre2021-02-08T20:20:57+00:00February 8th, 2021|News Blog|

Steel’s broad applicability has made it the world’s sweetheart. It’s a stalwart in everything from modern décor, to structural elements, to specialty parts in aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, military, and infrastructure industries. Even landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Gateway Arch shine bright with steel produced by the American steel service industry.

Futurists, such as Elon Musk, have called steel “the best decision they have ever made.” The ancient general Alexander called strong enemies “walls of steel.” All this praise speaks to steel’s remarkable characteristics. In this blog, we will focus our attention specifically on steel’s versatility.

Steel can be used in a broad swath of temperature ranges

Highs

High-temperature grades of stainless steel can be used in temperatures up to 2100° F. This allows them to be used in furnaces, ovens, boilers, valves, and pipes. This also makes them ideal in the aerospace industry.

Lows

In low temperatures, many steel grades tend to become brittle after a certain threshold. A case in point was the steel hull of the Titanic which suffered brittle fracture in the steel bolts. However, modern steel grades have vastly improved on their low temperature range with cryogenic steels that show 100 Joules of toughness at -196 degrees Celsius.

Steel: perfect for exposure to chemicals and the elements

Hygiene

Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion allows it to withstand many chemical cleaners. This makes it an ideal surface for many industries that require high levels of hygiene, especially in such applications as kitchens and chemistry labs.

Longevity

The Chrysler building’s stainless-steel roof, a pinnacle of Art Deco architecture, has only been cleaned three times since its construction in 1930! This is a strong flex on steel’s longevity and anti-corrosion properties that can resist the most damaging natural elements.

The average life of a steel product? 40 years.

Innovation and Specialization

The secret to steel’s versatility is the process of constant improvement since its discovery more than 4,000 years ago. With so much research, it’s no wonder that steel is such a specialized metal with an intricate grading system to categorize every form of steel.

Specialization

Whatever the job, there is a steel grade for it. Different techniques cause variances in ductility, toughness, machinability, and ability to be welded.

According to the World Steel Association, there are more than 3,500 grades of steel, each with its own unique properties. This includes the grades known as advanced high strength steels.

Innovation

When Hittites were creating steel 3,000 years ago, they probably created it by accident when the carbon from their furnaces mixed with iron. Since then, metalworkers have not only perfected the creation of different steel […]

21 11, 2020

The Best Jobs in Steel Processing: Steel Service Center Listings

andre2020-12-15T18:49:22+00:00November 21st, 2020|News Blog|

Are you dynamic, hardworking, smart, and ready for any new challenge? If you fit this description, you are a person of steel. Come join one of America’s most prestigious industries, with a history as colorful and powerful as any. This is not your grandfather’s steel service and processing industry. Today, more than ever, experienced, and skilled workers are needed to run all the aspects of our sophisticated steel processing plants.

Common steel processing job listings include:

Metallurgist and Quality Testing Specialist – Inspects and tests all incoming steel master coils and outgoing finished goods to customers to meet customer and in-house quality requirements.

Processing Equipment Operators – Highly trained to set-up and run all steel service center equipment including pickling, galvanizing, slitters, leveling, cut-to-length, blanking, and other processes.

Plant Maintenance Specialist – Provides repair and scheduled maintenance services to keep the operations of the plant reliable and efficient.

Plant Scheduling Planner – Receives processing work orders from an inside sales specialist and schedules plant equipment and processing equipment operators to complete customer purchase orders for processing services and finished goods.

Plant Safety Specialist – Provides training and support to ensure the health and safety of employees and to meet all state and national regulations and reporting requirements.

Outside Sales Associate – Utilizes marketing and company product and services information to call on new and existing customers to sell products and available services.

Steel Products and Process Quoting Specialist – Supports the sales team with accurate and competitive quotes to meet the customer product specifications and cost targets.

Steel Purchasing Specialist – Works with steel mills to buy master coil steel inventory and other products to support service center cost, quality, and delivery timing to meet the customer needs.

Steel Logistics Specialist – Schedules and negotiates cost for all truck and rail freight to support timing for incoming master coils and outgoing finished goods to customers.

Inside Sales Specialist – Manages all purchase orders from customers for new and repeat steel finished goods and processing requests. Creates work orders to all the service center internal groups for required steel master coils, requesting internal processing services, and shipping finished goods to the customer.

HR Specialist – Recruits, hires, provides training for new employees, and company benefit support. Ensures that the company is meeting all EEOC and other regulations and reporting requirements.

IT Specialist – Provides all computer-related services and equipment to support company requirements.

Marketing Specialist – Creates marketing information in various media formats describing the capabilities, manufacturing specialties, and locations of company assets.

With the sophistication of the today’s steel environment, workers in service centers and processing facilities are the foundation of success for steel companies. That’s why companies like NMC foster a respectful and appreciative atmosphere designed for the well-being of the workers. As one of the largest-growing, independent steel service centers and processing facilities, NMC is constantly looking for new talent ready to help in the expansion of the business. NMC offers a competitive benefits package for team members:

Quotes from our workers:

“I like […]

26 10, 2020

Steel Services and Pre-painted Steel: Over 50 Years of Steel Processing Expertise

andre2020-10-26T18:27:08+00:00October 26th, 2020|News Blog|

As a leader in supply-chain management, optimal supply solutions, process & product analysis, just-in-time inventory, and customized solutions to meet customer needs, National Material Company is the ideal choice for any customer in search of the best experience possible. A committed workforce, state-of-the-art processing equipment and warehouse storage capabilities make NMC the company to count on for future success. Locations throughout the U.S. offer a logistic advantage resulting in a more efficient service to conserve our customer’s most valuable resource: cost.

National Material Company not only provides the best practices in the industry, but also offers insights into transforming process into profit. NMC creates value through seamlessly integrating improvements at every step: from initial value engineering to final product delivery. That means if there is a way to improve quality and efficiency, NMC will help you find it.

It’s no wonder that their clients report significant savings as a result of the NMC’s VA/VE insights.
National Material Company’s steel processing services include pre-painted steel, slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, leveling, export packaging, rail and barge shipping and receiving, scrap programs, configured blanks, stamping press tooling needs, complete mechanical and metallurgical testing/metallurgical technical services, pickling, oiling, and dry-lube and hot dipped galvanizing. Client: Leading manufacturer of HVAC and refrigeration compressors
Savings: $475K annually
NMC Contribution: Increased material utilization and reducing scrap by purchasing wider pre-painted steel master coils and improved nesting configurations.

Client: Large producer of recreational vehicles
Savings: $1 Million
NMC Contribution: Modification in purchasing to acquire fully finished, pre-painted master coils.

Client: Large refrigeration tubing company
Savings: $1 Million
NMC Contribution: Leveraged National Material Company’s global sourcing capabilities combined with their in-house metallurgical expertise to develop a specialty cold rolled steel. Client: Producer of extruded aluminum roll-up awning tubes
Savings: $750K
NMC Contribution: Introduced a highly flexible paint system continuously coil-coated over a formable hot dip galvanized grade of flat rolled steel.

Client: Leading manufacturer of HVAC and refrigeration compressors
Savings: $1.5 Million
NMC Contribution: Leveraged National Material Company’s logistics capabilities. The steel for this application is now melted, hot rolled, pickled/lubed, and circle blanked all within the same state prior to being delivered to our customer’s plant location.

Client: Garage door manufacturer
Savings: $100,000 annually
NMC Contribution: Developed a special grade of hot dip galvanized steel.

Why National Material Company?

It is the appreciation of all moving parts that will make a client’s final product a commercial success. With expert supply chain management, just-on time delivery, and access to all the right partnerships, NMC can deliver the right steel at the right time. About National Material L.P. – Since its founding in 1964, National Material Limited Partnership has grown to over 30 business units and is now one of the largest suppliers of steel in America. The National Material group of industrial businesses consists of the Steel Group, Stainless and Alloys Group, Raw Material Trading Group, Aluminum Group, and Related Operations.

Please visit us at www.nationalmaterial.com or call (U.S.) 847-806-7200 to discuss how we can be of service.

30 09, 2020

Steel Processing at National Galvanizing

andre2020-09-30T19:24:37+00:00September 30th, 2020|News Blog|

Today, modern chemists must face the same problem that one element posed to the Egyptians thatshould have destroyed the pyramids. It’s that ubiquitous element that threatens everything made by humans: water. As frost formed inside the stone structure at night and expanded with the morning, slow cumulative damage should have been done to the pyramids. For many years, this mystery defied the explanation of archeologists, however was eventually solved. A detailed study concluded that ancient Egyptians relied on technology to defy the power of water: they had invented a primitive form of cement.

Water threatens the integrity of modern structures. Steel, the very backbone of modern civilization, rusts when it comes into contact with water. Technology has been the answer for modern man, just as it was for the pyramid builders. Various techniques have been developed to prevent steel from corroding. One of the most sought after by leading industries is galvanizing. Both long-lasting and cost-friendly, galvanized steel can resist rust for 70 years or more. The characteristics of the environment where it is used, and the thickness of the protective coat can influence the lifespan of the steel. Today, a sophisticated process known as hot-dipping is used to galvanize steel. Essentially, galvanizing adds a zinc-iron coating to the metal, forming a protective layer. The multi-step process described below gives galvanized steel its protective qualities:
1) The steel is cleaned in a degreasing solution.
2) After being cleaned, the steel is pickled by running through various tanks containing hot sulfuric acid.
3) The steel is then fluxed in an aqueous solution (typically zinc-ammonium chloride).
4) After the flux, the steel is galvanized through immersion in a vat of molten zinc.
5) Afterward, the steel is inspected for consistency and a complete coating.
Galvanized steel has a low, initial cost, and no need for maintenance. It also provides other important advantages:
• Rust resistance: The iron elements in steel are incredibly prone to rusting, but the addition of zinc acts as a protective buffer between the steel and any moisture or oxygen.
• Easy inspection: It is easy to tell how strong a galvanized coating is just by looking at it. There are also quick stress tests that can determine how thick the zinc coating is.
• Sacrificial anode: This ensures that any damaged steel is protected by the surrounding zinc coating. It does not matter if the steel section is completely exposed; the zinc will still corrode first.
• Longer life: With galvanization, a piece of industrial steel is expected to last 70 years in average environments and can last over 20 years with severe water exposure. No maintenance required.
Galvanization is part of a larger framework in steel preparation. Clients can benefit through facilities that can apply various processes to steel including hot-dipped galvanizing. That’s why National Galvanizing’s state-of-the-art facility enables pickling, galvanizing, galvannealing, and slitting, all in one location. As a joint venture between National Material L.P. and Heidtman Steel, National Galvanizing has an unparalleled structure for quality, high-speed supply that serves the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, garage door hardware, and HVAC industries, among others.

NMLP […]