What Secondary Services Can I Get with My Metal Materials?

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on May 18, 2020

When you’re in the market for metal material the first thing you need to find is a supplier who carries — or is able to source — the type of metal you need. Next, it’s about quantity. Some vendors only deal in larger quantities, making it difficult to source smaller volumes, like five or fifteen pounds. Once you’ve found the material type and the quantity, the next consideration is whether you need sheet or coil and what lengths and widths of materials you require.

We Are Open: Tackling the Challenge of COVID-19 Head On

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on April 29, 2020

Over the past several weeks, the realities of COVID-19 have increasingly occupied our thoughts. The surge in cases across the globe and now here in Minnesota have made us all pause and reflect.  With so much uncertainty, we would like to put your mind at ease.  

How is Cold Rolled Steel Used for Home Design and Decor?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on October 8, 2019

When you think of steel, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? For a lot of people, their minds go to construction, where steel beams form the foundation of sky-high buildings. Others might first think of the automotive industry, where steel accounts for up to 60% of a vehicle’s total weight. The fact of the matter is steel, in some form or another, is around us much of the time. In our buildings, in our vehicles, and even in our home decor.

Safely Loading Metal Coils with a Forklift [How To]

Posted by: Chris Schwartz on September 10, 2019

Loading, transporting, and storing metal coils is pretty standard procedure at a metal service center, but we realize that might not be the case for other businesses, production facilities, and local artists we work with. Still, regardless of frequency, properly transporting metal coils will keep internal employees safe and protect the product from damage. Two things every business wants. In this blog, I’m providing a basic how-to for safely loading and transporting metal coils with a forklift. Let’s get started.

FAQ Series: What Can a Metal Slitting Machine Do? [VIDEO]

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on August 7, 2019

There are many factors you might consider when looking for a metal service center, including customer service, quality of materials, and secondary services. One helpful secondary service is metal slitting.

Why Edge Rolling and Conditioning Matter

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on December 14, 2018

Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to get caught on a raw or ragged edge of metal. For all of its uses and applications, metal requires care during handling. After it's cut or sheared, metal material can be left with sharp, uneven edges. These edges can easily scratch or cut handlers, and it can also be difficult to feed through machines for processing. Edge rolling and conditioning effectively eliminates these issues. 

Flat Rolled Product - What's Leveled, Blanked, and Cut-To-Length?

Posted by: Mike Baufield on December 6, 2018

If you're looking for flat material, coil stock can be tough. While high-volume fabricators might have their own equipment to flatten coil and process it into sheets, too often you're at the mercy of pattern sizes and prepackaged quantities rather than being able to order what you need. The leveling and blanking process takes care of that.

What Does a Metal Slitter Do?

Posted by: Dani Weinhandl on November 28, 2018

Slitting is a machining service that cuts wide coils to narrower widths. It requires specialized machinery, and when it's done properly, metal slitting can make additional processing faster and more precise. 

I've outlined the top reasons why having your metal slit by a metal service center can add ease and save time.  

How Much Lead Time Does a Metal Service Center Need?

Posted by: Mike Baufield on May 23, 2018

Metal service centers provide an essential role within many industries, all of which seem to be working in a just-in-time environment. Knowing a material order's lead time and whether or not it’s a time you can rely on can make a world of difference, especially when a failure to meet deadlines can have a significant impact on your bottom line. So, let’s get back to the question: how much lead time does a metal supplier need? Like with many situations, the truest answer is also the least satisfying: it depends.

Mead Metals' Standards - Quick Response, Quality Materials, On-Time Delivery

Posted by: Brian Rothstein on May 16, 2018

In any business, there are going to be standards and practices that differ from one company to another.  We’ve found that by deciding which areas are core to our business and putting in the effort to support them, we’re able to better serve our customers. Our standards are to provide customers with quick responses, quality materials, and on-time delivery. Here’s how we make it happen.