Our History
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE
Over eight decades of service and expansion taught us how to process with precision, deliver with certainty, and plan with purpose. Reliance is built on a strong foundation of disciplined organic growth, smart acquisitions, and hands‑on problem solving. Our history lives in our people and our partnerships.
A Legacy of
Strength
Each milestone in our timeline has shaped who we are and how we serve today. Our long history of success reinforces what’s embodied in our company name. We’re here for the long haul.
In March, Reliance acquired Vector Intelligence, LLC, a digital utility that uses automation to optimize the bidding process and detailing phases, enabling businesses to enhance operational efficiency and concentrate on strategic growth areas.
Reliance welcomed David DiBoyan as Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) in May – a newly created role reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing a culture of safety.
In September, the Reliance executive team rang The Closing Bell at the NYSE in celebration of 30 years as a publicly traded company.
Building on a partnership that began in 2017, Reliance elevated its support of the 9/11 Day organization to National Presenting Sponsor.
In May, Reliance expanded its partnership with Ronald McDonald House as the Founding Sponsor of the Nourishing Families Grant Program – a $10 million, five-year commitment to provide healthy meals for families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses.
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and the Association of Metals Processors and Distributors (AMPD) named Karla Lewis Steel Executive of the Year, recognizing her lasting impact on the steel distribution industry and making her the second woman to receive the honor in the award’s 68-year history.
Reliance acquired Cooksey Iron & Metal Co., Inc., a metals service center headquartered in Tifton, Georgia, in February. In April, Reliance made two more acquisitions: American Alloy Steel, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas; and Mid-West Materials, Inc., headquartered in Perry, Ohio. With the addition of FerrouSouth in July, Reliance expanded its U.S. presence to 41 states.
In February, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. celebrated its 85th anniversary. The company announced a name change to Reliance, Inc., along with a new logo.
The Reliance Cares Impact Hub launched in November, enabling employees across the Family of Companies to donate to the causes of their choice with an annual company match. Over a six-week launch campaign, an astounding 83.3% of employees donated over $680,000 to more than 3,600 nonprofits across the U.S.
Reliance acquired Southern Steel Supply Company, LLC in May.
Reliance donated $1 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities in March to kick off the expansion of its “Reliance Cares” corporate social responsibility program.
Merfish United changed its name to United Pipe and Steel Corporation.
In January, Karla Lewis, already serving as President, was appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James Hoffman upon his retirement.
Reliance achieved record annual net sales of $17.03 billion, marking the highest revenue year in the company’s history.
Steve Koch was promoted Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in July.
In February, Arthur Ajemyan was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.
Reliance expanded through the acquisitions of Merfish United and Rotax Metals, Inc., Admiral Metals Servicecenter Company, Incorporated, and NuTech Precision Metals, Inc., strengthening its specialty metals offerings and distribution capabilities.
In January, Karla Lewis was promoted to President and appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors, while James Hoffman continued to serve as Chief Executive Officer.
In February, Reliance launched FastMetals, Inc., its first e-commerce business shipping metal nationwide with direct access to Reliance’s vast network of metals service center locations and full catalog of over 100,000 products.
Reliance ended the year with the acquisition of Fry Steel Company, a general line and long bar distributor located in Santa Fe Springs, California.
Reliance commemorated its 80th anniversary and celebrated 25 years on the NYSE. The company achieved a record stock closing price of $122.17.
In January, James Hoffman succeeded to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer upon Gregg Mollins’s retirement.
Reliance acquired DuBose National Energy Services, Inc., KMS Fab LLC, and All Metals Processing and Logistics, which all provided value-added services in the nuclear, automotive, and construction industries.
The Reliance Cares Employee Assistance Fund was established to support Reliance Family of Company employees impacted by natural disasters.
In October, Reliance acquired Ferguson Perforating Company, specializing in highly engineered and complex perforated metals.
In February, James Hoffman was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Reliance acquired Tubular Steel, Inc., a distributor and processor of tubing and bar products; Best Manufacturing, Inc., a provider of custom precision metal fabrication; and Alaska Steel Company, which brought Reliance’s presence to 40 U.S. states.
In May, Gregg Mollins was appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer upon Dave Hannah’s retirement. Karla Lewis was promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, James Hoffman was promoted to Executive Vice President, Operations, and William A. Smith II was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Reliance celebrated its 75th anniversary and 20th anniversary of its IPO. A new company logo was unveiled.
Reliance acquired Haskins Steel Co., Inc., All Metal Services, Northern Illinois Steel Supply Co., and Fox Metals and Alloys, Inc., expanding the company’s footprint deeper into the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and internationally, especially in the aerospace and energy sectors.
Reliance completed several strategic acquisitions, including McKey Perforating Co., Inc., expanding further into the perforated metal market, and National Specialty Alloys, Inc., a global specialty alloy processor and distributor of premium stainless steel and nickel alloy products. Internationally, Bralco Metals (Australia) Pty Ltd, acquired substantially all of the assets of Airport Metals (Australia) Pty Ltd, strengthening aircraft materials distribution capabilities. Reliance also acquired Sunbelt Steel Texas, LLC, increasing exposure to the oil and gas and OTCG sector, and GH Metal Solutions, Inc.
Reliance acquired Continental Alloys & Services, Inc., increasing its global reach as a leading provider of high-end steel and alloy pipe, tube, and bar products.
With the acquisition of Diamond Manufacturing Company, Reliance gained entry into the perforated metals market, while American Metals Corporation acquired Lampros Steel, one of the first specialty structural steel warehouses in the Northwest.
In April, Stephen Koch joined Reliance’s executive management team as Senior Vice President, Operations, after serving as President of Chapel Steel Corp.
Reliance executive officers rang The Closing Bell at the NYSE to mark the 15th anniversary of the company’s IPO.
In August, Reliance acquired the PNA Group of 23 service centers and 7 joint ventures, adding Delta Steel, LP, Feralloy Corporation, Infra-Metals Co., Metals Supply Company, Ltd., Precision Flamecutting and Steel, Inc. and Sugar Steel to the Reliance Family of Companies. The company also acquired Dynamic Metals and Reliance Metalcenter Asia Pacific.
James Hoffman joined Reliance’s executive management team as Senior Vice President, Operations, after serving as Chief Operating Officer of Earle M. Jorgensen Company.
Reliance acquired Crest Steel Corporation, Industrial Metals and Surplus, Inc., Encore Group, Clayton Metals, Inc., and Metalweb Limited.
Reliance acquired Earle M. Jorgensen Company, a longtime and well-respected competitor, making it Reliance’s first purchase of a public company and significantly expanding its presence across the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition of Everest Metals Co., Ltd. expanded Reliance’s markets into China; the company also acquired Flat Rock Metal Processing L.L.C. and Yarde Metals, Inc.
Reliance acquired Chapel Steel Corp., a processor and distributor of carbon and alloy steel plate, in July.
Reliance was named “Acquirer of Choice” by the Metals Service Center Institute’s Forward magazine.
Reliance expanded into toll processing through the acquisition of Precision Strip Inc. and Precision Strip Transport, Inc. in July.
Reliance acquired Centrals Plains Steel Co., Olympic Metals, Inc., and Pacific Metal Company.
In January, Gregg Mollins was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, and Karla Lewis was named Executive Vice President.
Reliance acquired Viking Materials, Inc., Aluminum and Stainless, Inc., and PDM Steel Service Centers, Inc.
Reliance moved its headquarters from industrial Vernon to downtown Los Angeles’ Bunker Hill financial district.
Reliance acquired Hagerty Steel & Aluminum Company, Toma Metals, United Alloys Aircraft Metals, and East Tennessee Steel Supply
Reliance acquired Liebovich Bros., Inc., Allegheny Steel Distributors, and Arrow Metals.
Joe Crider retired as Chief Executive Officer and was succeeded by Dave Hannah, who remained President. Karla Lewis (née McDowell) was appointed Chief Financial Officer.
Reliance acquired Chatham Steel Corporation, Durrett Sheppard Steel Co., Phoenix Metals Company, Lusk Metals, American Metals Corporation, Steel Bar Corporation, and Engbar Pipe and Steel Company.
With the addition of AMI Metals, Inc., and Service Steel Aerospace Corp., Reliance entered the aerospace industry. The company also acquired Amalco Metals and Georgia Steel. With sales of $654 million, Reliance achieved its sixth consecutive year of record sales.
Reliance acquired Siskin Steel & Supply Co., headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee – one of the oldest companies in the industry and an integral part in expanding operations beyond the western half of the U.S.
Reliance acquired American Steel, L.L.C. through a joint venture with American Industries, Inc., which strengthened its presence in the Pacific Northwest.
Gregg Mollins was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Dave Hannah was named President.
On September 16, Reliance issued 3.5 million new shares in its Initial Public Offering (IPO), raising $45.9 million and making Reliance a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “RS.”
William Gimbel retired but remained Chairman of the Board until 1997 (and Chair Emeritus until his passing in 1999).
From Division Manager of Reliance Metalcenter in Santa Clara, California, Gregg Mollins joined the corporate management team as Vice President.
Reliance celebrated its 50th anniversary, with sales exceeding $350 million.
William Gimbel became Chairman (in addition to Chief Executive Officer); Joe Crider was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer.
Valex Corp. joined the Reliance Family of Companies, opening the door into the semiconductor industry.
David Hannah was recruited by Bill Gimbel to join Reliance as its first Chief Financial Officer. The Gimbel-Crider-Hannah trio continued to increase Reliance’s scope and capacity with strategic acquisitions, venturing further into specialty metals markets including copper, brass, and titanium.
Reliance MetalCenter, Inc. was created to house nonferrous operations in Southern California.
Bralco Metals, an important West Coast distributor of aluminum, brass, and copper sheet, bar, and rod products, was acquired.
Reliance entered the specialty metals market with the successful creation of Tube Service Co. in Santa Fe Springs, California, leading to a second location opening in Milpitas, California, in 1979.
Joe Crider was named Executive Vice President. During the next 12 years, Metal Center News magazine referred to Bill Gimbel and Joe Crider as “the best-known management team in the service center industry.”
Reliance and some of its vendors held “Metal-Rama,” giving shareholders and customers a behind-the-scenes look at its ultramodern steel processing facility.
Reliance purchased Drake Steel. Drake’s Fresno Sales Manager, Joe Crider, began a long, successful career with the company. Reliance now had five locations: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Santa Clara, San Diego, and Fresno.
Bill Gimbel commissions the manufacture and installation of a semi-automatic rack storage system to house metal sheet and coil in unused vertical warehouse space. These “pigeon holes” boosted storage density and efficiency in the warehouse, and established Reliance as an innovator in safety and metals handling. California-based Westates Steel Company was acquired.
Reliance acquired Phoenix-based Effron Steel Company.
After taking on roles of increasing responsibility from Warehouseman to Vice President, Bill Gimbel became President upon the passing of his uncle, founder Thomas Neilan.
The company was renamed for a second time to reflect its expanding product lines: Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
Reliance sales reached $4 million, and the company bought seven acres on 26th Street in Vernon, California to accommodate its growth during the postwar manufacturing boom. Building started on what eventually became Reliance’s flagship warehouse and company headquarters.
Reliance made its first acquisition, Carthage Steel Strip, in South Gate, California, bringing with it precision cutting equipment. This new technology greatly expanded business capabilities.
Reliance’s product offering expanded to include aluminum. The following year, Reliance became the nation’s first distributor of magnesium.
Thomas Neilan offered to fund his nephew’s graduate studies at Harvard if he will work at Reliance for one year. William (“Bill”) T. Gimbel accepted and joined the business working as a warehouseman; little does he know he will never go back to school. Annual company revenue reached $1.2 million.
The company name changed to Reliance Steel Co.
Reliance subleased 6,600 square feet of warehouse space from Allied Supply Company on 37th Street in the city of Vernon, just outside Downtown Los Angeles.
Thomas Neilan founded Reliance Steel Products Company, a distributor of steel reinforcing bar, on February 3, 1939, in Los Angeles, California.
