Reliance reports record tons sold in Q1

Reliance Inc. reported a record 1.63 million tons sold in the first quarter of 2025, a jump of 9% year over year.

The tonnage sold is a 12.8% increase compared to Q4’24, above the company’s expectations of up 6%-8%. It’s also a 5.6% increase on a same-store basis, the service center giant reported Wednesday.

The company said the better-than-expected operations reflect “solid organic growth and contributions from 2024 acquisitions,” as well as its relationships with domestic mills as customers rushed to buy ahead of tariff-related price increases.

“Despite ongoing uncertainty in both domestic and international economic policy, we are encouraged by the positive pricing momentum and continuing stable demand conditions, most notably in our non-residential construction market,” Karla Lewis, president and CEO, said in a statement.

“Our model of both buying and selling metal primarily in the US market are positive for Reliance, and our employees, customers and suppliers,” she added.

Demand for non-residential construction, Reliance’s largest end-market by tons, improved compared to Q1’24. The company expects construction demand to remain “at healthy levels” in Q2’25, supported by new construction projects such as data centers, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, and public infrastructure.

Demand across broader manufacturing sectors increased compared to Q1’24, led by strength in industrial machinery, military, shipbuilding, rail, and heavy construction equipment.

However, demand in the consumer products and heavy agricultural equipment sectors was up marginally year over year, but comparatively weaker than in other segments.

Reliance expects manufacturing demand will remain relatively stable in the second quarter of 2025, subject to trade policy action.

Tariff impact

As the US – and global – economy deals with the impact of tariffs, Reliance said its strategy of focusing on domestic markets has limited its exposure to imports. About 95% of its purchases are from US companies, Lewis said.

“We do buy the majority of our metal from domestic producers, which we’ve done for many, many years,” Lewis said during the company’s earnings call Thursday. “We think that’s a good strategy, and, you know, certainly benefits us in times like we’re in currently where metals are a little tight in many areas.”

“However, we do have some pieces of equipment that are on order from foreign companies where they’ve got certain expertise in in certain types of equipment. I don’t know the percentage, but it’s a small percentage that would be coming in, and we are actively in conversations with those suppliers to figure out how to best mitigate any impact of tariffs,” Lewis added.

Outlook

Reliance estimates its tons sold in Q2’25 will be down 1% to up 1% compared to Q1’25, consistent with seasonal trends in the non-residential construction market. It expects its average selling price per ton sold for Q2’25 will be up 1% to 3% compared to the first quarter.