8 09, 2024

When a Steel Distributor Does More Than Distribute Steel

2024-10-29T18:19:23+00:00September 8th, 2024|News Blog, NMC Media|

Steel distributor drive the evolution of the American steel industry, a key force behind the nation’s industrial growth and innovation. By the early 20th century, the U.S. led global steel production, fueled by rich iron ore deposits, coal veins, and strategic water routes. As the industry progressed, steel distributors and service centers took on vital roles, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality products.

Whether you are an OEM looking for steel and aluminum solutions or a stakeholder in the metal industry, this blog will enhance your understanding and showcase the multifaceted capabilities of leading steel service providers.

Steel Distributor: The Foundation of the Supply Chain

As essential pillars of North America’s industrial landscape, steel distributors drive growth and sustainability. By linking steel mills with end-users, they ensure a steady flow of steel products, which in turn fuels industrial development and strengthens economic progress.

These distributors serve a diverse array of industries, including construction, automotive, agriculture, and manufacturing. Their products are vital for structural engineering, machinery production, and infrastructure development, making them indispensable to the success of these sectors.

The Benefits of a North American Steel Distributor

Efficient supply chain management

By streamlining the flow of steel products to diverse industries, steel distributors enhance supply chain efficiency. They act as a crucial link between steel mills and end-users, making the supply chain more responsive and effective.

Wide range of products

A steel distributor provides a broad selection of steel products designed to meet the specific needs of various industries. This variety helps businesses find the exact materials required for their applications, boosting efficiency and ensuring they have the right steel for every job.

Local accessibility

Strategically located steel distributors across various regions make it easier for businesses to access steel materials promptly. This local presence helps reduce transportation costs and delays, ensuring timely delivery.

Quality assurance

Reputable steel distributors uphold rigorous quality control standards, ensuring the steel they supply meets the required specifications. This quality assurance is critical for industries that demand high-quality steel for their operations, guaranteeing reliability and performance.

While steel distributors are foundational to the supply chain, steel service centers elevate the process by offering critical value-added services.

Beyond Distribution: The Steel Service Center Advantage A steel service center is a critical intermediary between producers, distributors, and end consumers. These centers offer enhanced steel services such as steel cutting, slitting, and shaping steel products according to precise customer specifications, essential in steel supply chain management.

By providing tailored solutions, steel service centers ensure businesses receive the materials needed for their projects, optimizing efficiency and minimizing waste. They strongly emphasize precision and customization, utilizing advanced machinery and techniques to perform coil parting, slitting, and cut-to-length operations. This capability allows for customizing steel sizes and shapes catering to diverse project requirements.

The benefits of utilizing a steel service center are significant:

4 03, 2019

What is a Toll Processing Company?

2019-05-29T23:06:19+00:00March 4th, 2019|News Blog|

A close shot of a collection of steel coils in one of National Material’s steel processing facilities.

The convenience of outsourcing manufacturing work for products and services is becoming more and more popular. This method of contracting with a material processing service center is known as toll processing. (Also known as tolling, contract processing, toll manufacturing, or toll conversion.)

Businesses turn to toll processing because of the expertise and cost savings that the processing center provides. A growing business might lack the facilities, manpower, and time required to process the materials required for their products, leading to shortfalls in efficiency and delivery. Usually, processing centers have decades of experience in a number of different industries,  They have also made significant investments in equipment that can help take a project from concept to completion. Toll processors can offer the contracting company with important information, including difficulties or circumstances that might be encountered when processing specific types of material.

Benefits of toll processing

  • Significantly reduced capital investment
  • No additional permits required
  • No need for additional storage space
  • No need to hire additional employees
  • Can adjust production levels on-the-fly depending on demand
  • Faster time to completion
  • Opportunity to expand your network by working with experienced professionals
  • Avoid extended lead times
  • Affordable costs

Types of toll processing services

Toll processing companies, such as National Material Processing, can cover a wide range of services for their clients. This includes services such as slitting, configured blanking & stamping, cut-to-length processing, pickle & oil, galvanizing / galvannealing, product storage, shipping, , quality analysis, and more.

How to find the right toll processing company for you

When looking for a company to contract with, you should consider a few key factors. First, you should try to select a company that is reasonably located nearby in order to create supply chain savings. The quality of the team of professionals you’re going to work with, as they are going to become an extension of your business once you enter into a contract with them.

Your chosen toll processor will become the link between you, your customers, and your product, and this choice should not be taken lightly. You should choose a company that will not only make your manufacturing processes easier, but also a company that can reduce risk, add to your bottom line, and put you ahead of the competition. Review their quality assurance and control procedures, their supply chain management experience, and their track record.

If you believe your company can benefit from our toll processing services, please visit us at nationalmaterial.com or call (U.S.) 847-806-7200 to discuss how we can be of service.

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.

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