Metal Fabrication Near You
In Focus
All businesses know the value of having a vendor close to home. These advantages became clearer than ever over the past few years, when company leaders faced unprecedented delivery delays and shutdowns that hampered their operations.
Metal fabrication is a major industry in the US, employing nearly 60,000 people across many hundreds of shops. Because of the industry’s size, finding the right supply chain solution for your company’s specific manufacturing needs can be a challenge.
A knowledgeable partner with a footprint across North America can improve efficiency, ensure supply chain continuity, and expand the possibilities for manufacturers that need a timely solution.
Every Processing Capability
Technology in the metals industry has advanced significantly in recent years, but the improvements haven’t been universally applied. Metal fabricators still operate with many outdated processes, while others may offer newer processing services but lack quality, open capacity, or proximity to your warehouse.
Ryerson offers processing capabilities for every product we sell. Having an all-in-one solution for metal processing means companies spend less time and money acquiring the final product than they would having to contract multiple shops. What becomes a multi-stage buying journey that takes weeks can be streamlined into a just-in-time delivery, lowering your carrying costs and expended capital on raw material.
What becomes a multi-stage buying journey that takes weeks can be streamlined into a just-in-time delivery, lowering your carrying costs and expended capital on raw material. Whether it’s cutting, bending, machining, welding, painting or otherwise, Ryerson has the expertise to deliver. Customers receive what they need without delay, ensuring operations aren’t hampered by a wealth of raw material and a lack of processing capabilities.
North American Footprint
Ryerson’s fabrication facilities are strategically located across North America, ensuring timely delivery and continuity of service. This becomes even more essential when metal fabrication is involved.
“If you’re running operations out of Seattle, for example, you’re not just sourcing as far away as Portland—you’re sourcing from across the entire U.S. The specific metal fabrication process you need can be anywhere between the coasts, Canada, or Mexico and without a partner who knows each region you’re going to struggle,” says James Porter, general manager of Ryerson Advanced Processing.
With Ryerson’s interconnected network, production capabilities in one region are available across the continent thanks to a robust distribution network. With delivery trucks moving between major hubs every day, companies can trust Ryerson to supply their metals rather than having to build an ad hoc solution on their own.
"The specific metal fabrication process you need can be anywhere between the coasts, Canada, or Mexico and without a partner who knows each region you’re going to struggle."
James Porter, GM, Ryerson Advanced Processing
Logistics
The just-in-time delivery model remains essential for manufacturers small and large. In an uncertain economic environment and amid record inflation, inventory carrying costs have become such a burden that cutting these expenses to a minimum has become a priority.
Inventoried items at Ryerson are available for delivery within 24 hours. Non-inventoried items can be delivered within 72 hours thanks to Ryerson’s Outside Service Provider (OSP) network, a group of thoroughly vetted, trusted vendors who can meet Ryerson’s exacting quality standards.
“Inventory carrying costs are a major burden to customers today. If customers buy metal from us, then we’re the ones who pick up that tab, as opposed to the customer doing it on their own and holding inventory,” explains Jeff Pitzenberger, general manager for Ryerson Advanced Processing. “Our customers can put a product on the shelf one time, then pull it off the shelf when it’s time to deliver. That way you avoid wait times and storage costs while also reducing inventory shrinkage through lost, stolen, or mislabeled parts. It’s simply a more cost-effective way to handle your business, at a much lower expense.”
Supply Chain Engineering
“One of the biggest changes we’ve seen in recent years is the number of clients who want to hand their supply chain logistics over to us,” says Tim Driver, supply chain manager for Ryerson Advanced Processing. “Other clients want to keep certain operations in-house while extending other responsibilities to the Ryerson team. There’s a great deal more customization in supply logistics than there’s ever been before.”
The thousands of constantly changing variables that make up a supply chain are complex, and difficult to assess without existing support. With the expertise of Ryerson’s supply chain experts, companies can implement their manufacturing plans without the delays that go along with handling supply chain optimization on your own.
Global Mill Sourcing
Ryerson’s North American supply chain network ensures metal fabrication partners are available in or near most U.S. cities. But what happens when a manufacturer needs sourcing from overseas?
“Our OSP network is completely digital, meaning we have a much wider view of the metal fabrication market than anyone else,” explains Mike Nauman, general manager at Ryerson. “You may want a specific type of product or service that’s best available overseas, or you may be expanding operations in a certain nation and want something local. Those are the cases where we step in and tap our global partners.”
It’s no small task to handle supply chain operations from overseas. The more regions involved, the more complexity increases, and international borders only add an extra layer of difficulty. Ryerson has the capacity to source globally, meeting the needs of our customers wherever they are.
“There’s nobody else in the U.S. with the capacity and reach that we have to optimize supply chains,” says Porter. “We have 500 (OSPs) in the U.S. and have vetted every single one. When it comes to metal fabricators in the U.S. and globally, we have the capability to deliver solutions that our clients need.”
Are you looking for help building a more competitive and resilient supply chain? The team at Ryerson Advanced Processing is here to help. Find out why thousands of manufacturers across North America trust us to build their supply chain.
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