What Value-Add Services Does a Metal Service Center Provide?

You'd be mistaken if you think you can go to two different metal service centers and get the same value-added services. Depending on the equipment, capabilities, and general know-how of the company you work with, one location could offer entirely different services than another metal service center nearby.

When you’re prepared to work with a metal service center, it’s important to do your research. And if you’re looking for a great place to start, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the common value-added or secondary services that metal service centers have to offer.

What is a Metal Service Center?

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Metal service centers play a vital role in the supply chain by providing value-added processing and inventory management services for metal products. These centers purchase metal in bulk directly from manufacturers and maintain large inventories. They then sell the metal in smaller quantities to customers, often applying specialized treatments like cutting, coating, or painting to prepare the material for the customer's specific needs.

This model benefits both small and large companies. Smaller manufacturers can source metal as needed without investing in storage space and equipment. Larger firms can outsource metal processing and avoid the capital costs of in-house metal handling. Overall, metal service centers enable businesses to focus on their core operations while accessing a flexible, just-in-time supply of quality-processed metal products.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH A METAL SUPPLIER

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When you’re in the market for metal, the first thing you need to find is a supplier who carries — or is able to source — the type of product 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 a sheet or coil and what lengths and widths of materials you require.

Sometimes, you have to purchase the material from one supplier and ship it to another vendor for metal-cutting services like blanking, slitting, and edge conditioning. But other times, you may find a supplier who sells material and offers in-house secondary services.

What Secondary Services Can I Get With My Metal Materials?

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Metal service centers offer a variety of value-added processing services beyond just stocking and reselling raw metal materials. Common secondary services include:

1. Leveling, Cut-to-Length, and Blanking

Leveling is the process of unrolling metal coils and cutting them into flat sheets. Typically, a metal service center pre-processes to standard stock lengths like 96" or 120”.

The capabilities of leveling or cut-to-length lines can vary. In some cases, leveling can correct material memory by running coils through sets of rollers. In other cases, service centers will stretch the material before cutting. Regardless of how they process the coils, make sure to let them know what you’re using the material for, so they can help you find the best shape or product for your unique application.

Blanks, on the other hand, are smaller sheets of metal, meaning they’re much easier to handle. When you have a nonstandard size request, some service centers have the equipment to size a custom flat product that will add value to your process. Between the minimal excess scrap, the tight diagonal tolerance, and the lower stress levels than with full-sized sheets, blanks are often a valuable alternative.

2. Slitting

Slitting involves modifying the width of the material in coil form. So while leveling has to do with material length, slitting impacts the material’s width. Metal service centers use custom machinery to slit material into the proper width for future processing. By slitting, these centers can:

Create consistent product
Provide tight metal tolerances
Reduce waste/scrap

Having metal service centers slit your material to the width you need can be a huge timesaver for your project and make the process easier.

3. Edge Rolling/Edge Conditioning

Edge rolling and conditioning services give coil and strip a cleaner edge. Sharp edges and edge imperfections can happen when cutting metal. But when service centers go the extra mile to give metal products a cleaner edge, you get a more consistent product, which is easier to process and manufacture. A radiused edge also makes the material safer to handle.

4. Delivery

Metal service centers often provide comprehensive shipping and logistics support. They can coordinate just-in-time delivery, package materials to customer specifications, offer same-day shipping and provide real-time order tracking. These services allow businesses to receive metal products exactly when and how they need them without the burden of arranging transportation internally.

5. Expert Guidance and Support

Buying metal doesn't have to be challenging when you have the support of a knowledgeable metal service provider. Metal service centers employ experts who can help you source the exact materials and treatments your project requires. These professionals stay up-to-date on industry standards like ISO and AS9100 to ensure compliance. By utilizing a service center's expertise, you can navigate the complexities of buying metal without the hassle.

The Value of Value-Add Services

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At Mead Metals, we not only provide value-add services, but our employees have the industry knowledge and all-around expertise to execute these services to the highest standards.

Our niche is high-quality specialty metals available in both large and small quantities. With our top-notch value-added services, we give our customers the materials they need, with the specs they need them to be, at a much faster rate.