Service Centers
Samuel Invests in Automotive Metals Processing Facility
Written by Tim Triplett
June 5, 2018
Canada’s Samuel, Son & Co., a leading metals distributor and industrial products manufacturer, has invested $18 million in its Brantford, Ontario, automotive metals processing center. It expects to complete the expansion by the fourth quarter, ramping to full production in early 2019.
Samuel’s Brantford facility is currently a 141,000-square-foot metals processing operation equipped with blanking and press lines. The latest investment is expected to increase capacity while adding levelling and processing capabilities for advanced high-strength steel, the company said.
The automotive industry is focused on reducing vehicle weight to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This has resulted in a significant increase in the use of aluminum and advanced high-strength steel, requiring the metals processing industry to invest in new processing technologies and capacity.
“Over the last three years, Samuel has invested more than $100 million to extend the capacity and capabilities we offer to automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers across North America,” said Luis Ponte, Samuel’s Vice President of Automotive. “This latest round of investment positions Samuel as a leading automotive metals processor, while allowing us to deliver a new level of support for the many expanding global automotive programs that are based in Southwestern Ontario.”
In addition to its investment in the Brantford facility, Samuel opened a greenfield automotive operation in Columbia, Tenn., in 2015, and acquired its additive manufacturing division, Burloak Technologies, in 2017.
Founded in 1855, Samuel, Son & Co. is a family-owned and operated integrated network of metal manufacturing, processing and distribution divisions. With over 5,000 employees and more than 100 facilities, Samuel provides seamless access to metals, industrial products and related value-added services.
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Service Centers
Worthington expands European presence with closing of Sitem deal
The Ohio-based steel processor is now the majority owner of Italy's Sitem Group, which has six manufacturing sites across Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, and France.
Klöckner narrows Q1 loss, targets growth in North America and Europe
Germany’s Klöckner & Co. reported a narrower loss in the first quarter as the company targets becoming the “leading” service center and metal processing firm in North America and Europe by 2030.
Russel mulls buying US service centers despite Q1 profit dip
Russel Metals’ earnings slipped in the first quarter, but the company is still eyeing service center acquisitions in the US.
Olympic Steel earnings slump in ‘challenging’ first quarter
Olympic Steel’s earnings slid in the first quarter as the steel industry faced a “challenging” economic conditions.
Olympic taps Scott for board, Rippey steps down
Olympic Steel elected Peter J. Scott to its board of directors at its annual meeting on May 2. At the same time, long-time director Michael G. Rippey has retired from the board after 10 years.