Northern States Metals
Northern States Metals is a privately held, vertically integrated custom aluminum extrusion manufacturer founded in 1972 in Youngstown, Ohio. It serves enterprise B2B customers across 30-plus industries including EV, medical, data centers, fitness, and solar, offering design through logistics under one point of contact.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersYoungstown, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Northern States Metals does
Northern States Metals (NSM) is a privately held, vertically integrated custom aluminum extrusion manufacturer founded in 1972 and headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. The company designs, engineers, extrudes, fabricates, finishes, assembles, packages, and warehouses custom aluminum components under a single point of contact, with extrusion capabilities spanning 1/4 inch to 24 inches in size and precision tolerances to ±0.001 inches. Available alloys include 6061, 6063, 6005, 6463, 1100, and 6082, and finishing services include anodizing, powder coating, painting, polishing, and chemical films. NSM operates an ISO 9001:2008-certified facility and uses CAD/CAM and finite element analysis in design engineering.
NSM sells to enterprise and mid-market B2B customers across more than 30 industry segments, with primary verticals including electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure (named customer ChargePoint), medical devices, data centers, fitness equipment, solar and renewable energy, aerospace, automotive, windows and doors, and lighting. The company operates a wholly owned sub-brand, Solar FlexRack, which designs and installs fixed-tilt and single-axis solar tracking systems and has deployed more than 1.5 GW of solar racking across 32 US states and 5 countries. The Solar FlexRack division extends NSM's extrusion know-how into a turn-key engineered product offering with its own brand identity, sales channel, and customer base.
The business model is quote-based, project-specific contract manufacturing with revenue derived from custom extrusion orders bundled with value-added engineering, fabrication, finishing, assembly, packaging, and logistics services. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by trade show presence (IMTS, Lightfair, AIA Expo, SHOT Show), a direct request-a-quote website channel, and content marketing. The company is controlled by founder Paul Cusson (Chairman), with Ken Mack serving as President and CEO since August 2017. NSM does not disclose revenue, has not raised external funding, and operates from a single US manufacturing facility.
Northern States Metals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Northern States Metals
- Legal name
- Northern State Metals
- Website
- https://extrusions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Northern States Metals is a privately held, vertically integrated custom aluminum extrusion manufacturer founded in 1972 in Youngstown, Ohio. It serves enterprise B2B customers across 30-plus industries including EV, medical, data centers, fitness, and solar, offering design through logistics under one point of contact.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Northern States Metals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Aluminum Extrusions & Fabrication
- NAICS
- Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding (331318), All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299)
- SIC
- Rolling Drawing & Extruding Of Nonferrous Metals (3350), Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aluminum Extrusion (IMAKACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating) (IMAKACAI), Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems) (IMAKACAM)
Keywords
Where Northern States Metals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Youngstown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Northern States Metals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Aluminum Extrusion Manufacturing: Northern States Metals generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of custom aluminum extruded profiles, components, and finished private-label products. Services span design, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, assembly, and packaging. Revenue is derived from one-time production contracts, with value-add services (finishing, assembly) bundled as part of the product offering.
- Engineering and Fabrication Services: Additional revenue is generated from value-added engineering services (CAD design, prototyping, FEA analysis) and fabrication services (CNC machining, welding, bending, precision cutting) billed as part of the overall project cost or as standalone services.
- Finishing Services: Surface finishing services including anodizing, powder coating, painting, polishing, and chemical films are offered as a revenue stream, either bundled with extrusion orders or as standalone finishing work.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Northern States Metals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Northern States Metals is a full-service custom aluminum extrusion manufacturer producing precision extruded parts and profiles (sizes 1/4" to 24", tolerances to ±0.001") for more than 30 industry verticals. Under a single point of contact, the company integrates design engineering, extrusion, fabrication (CNC machining, welding, bending), surface finishing (anodizing, powder coating, painting, polishing), assembly, custom packaging, and logistics/warehousing. Its Solar FlexRack division also delivers turn-key fixed-tilt and single-axis solar racking installations.
Product overview
Northern States Metals (NSM) is a one-stop full-service provider of custom aluminum extruded parts and products. The company operates a unified service model offering aluminum extrusions as the core product, supported by integrated engineering services, fabrication & assembly, finishing, packaging, and logistics & warehousing services. NSM also operates Solar FlexRack as a specialized sub-brand focused on solar mounting solutions. The company serves over 30 industry segments including aerospace, automotive, medical, fitness, solar, and data centers, providing a seamless single-point-of-contact experience from concept to delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Solar FlexRack: An integrated solar company offering custom-designed fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking systems in the commercial and utility scale solar mounting industry, including full turn-key packages with engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, layout, and installation services.
Products and services
- Custom Aluminum Extrusions Custom aluminum extruded parts and profiles manufactured using precision extrusion processes, available in sizes ranging from 1/4 inch to 24 inches with tolerances to ±0.001 inches across alloys including 6061, 6063, 6005, 6463, 1100, and 6082.
- Engineering Services Design engineering services including CAD technology, prototyping, die design assistance, extrudability analysis, and finite element analysis for custom aluminum extrusion projects.
- Fabrications & Assembly In-house aluminum fabrication capabilities including bending, drilling/punching/piercing, welding, precision cutting and mitering, and complete CNC and conventional machining, plus assembly services.
- Aluminum Finishing Services Surface finishing services including bronze/black anodizing, polishing, clear and color anodizing, powder coating, brushing, silk screening, brite dip, grain finish, precision masking, and wet paint.
- Custom Packaging Custom packaging solutions including boxing with bar coding, custom packaging, shrink wrapping, PEM insertion, export packaging, e-commerce packaging, and palletizing.
- Logistics & Warehousing Supply chain management, logistics, warehousing, and shipping services to ensure product availability and delivery when and where customers need them.
- Solar FlexRack Solar Mounting Systems A division of Northern States Metals offering custom-designed fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking solar mounting systems for commercial and utility-scale solar installations, including full turn-key packages with engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field layout, and installation services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Very low scrap rate through design efficiency and quality management processes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Northern States Metals
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Northern States Metals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Northern States Metals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Solar FlexRackcoreSolar FlexRack is a division of Northern States Metals offering custom-designed fixed-tilt ground mount and single-axis tracking solar mounting systems. The division provides full turn-key packages including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field layout, and installation services. Solar FlexRack has completed more than 1.5 GW of solar racking installations in 32 states across America and five countries globally. The division maintains its own brand identity (www.solarflexrack.com) with dedicated social media presence.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Northern States Metals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bonnell Aluminum: Mid-market US custom aluminum extruder offering extrusion, fabrication, finishing, and anodizing under one roof. Closely comparable to NSM in size tier, full-service model, and customer mix across architectural, industrial, and consumer end markets.
- Western Extrusions: Texas-headquartered custom aluminum extruder with in-house finishing, fabrication, and machining. Comparable to NSM in full-service model, custom-quote commercial approach, and broad industrial customer mix, though with a southern US footprint rather than Midwest.
- Alexandria Industries: Midwest-based custom aluminum extrusion company offering extrusion, fabrication, finishing, and assembly for industrial, consumer, and renewable-energy customers. Comparable to NSM in vertical integration model, geographic proximity (Ohio), and renewable-energy exposure.
- Taber Extrusions: US extruder with a large-press capability (including 16-inch and 20-inch presses) serving aerospace, defense, transportation, and industrial markets. Comparable to NSM in oversized custom extrusion capability and engineered-component positioning.
- Kaiser Aluminum: US-based producer of fabricated aluminum extrusions and value-added components serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial markets. Comparable to NSM in extruding custom profiles with downstream fabrication and in targeting engineered premium applications.
- Nextracker: Major solar tracker manufacturer serving utility-scale projects globally, directly competing with Solar FlexRack. Comparable to NSM's solar racking business in product technology (single-axis trackers), end customer base, and growth orientation toward utility-scale solar deployment.
- Array Technologies: Leading US manufacturer of solar tracking systems for utility-scale projects, a direct competitor to NSM's Solar FlexRack division. Comparable to NSM's sub-brand in target customer (solar developers), product category (fixed-tilt and single-axis trackers), and value-chain position.
- Pennex Aluminum: Pennsylvania-based custom aluminum extruder with casting, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, and machining capabilities. Directly comparable to NSM in integrated service scope, US Midwest/Appalachian manufacturing footprint, and cross-industry customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Hydro Extrusion: Global aluminum extrusion leader (formerly Sapa) operating dozens of extrusion presses across North America with integrated fabrication and finishing. Comparable to NSM in core activity (custom aluminum extrusion) but far larger in scale, geographic reach, and breadth of value-added services.
Emerging players
- FTC Solar: Solar tracker company offering single-axis tracking systems for utility, commercial, and distributed generation projects. Comparable to NSM's Solar FlexRack in solar racking product category and target customer, though smaller and more narrowly focused on trackers.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Northern States Metals social profiles
Digital presenceNorthern States Metals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Northern States Metals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Northern States Metals subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Northern States Metals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Northern States Metals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Northern States Metals
What does Northern States Metals do?
Northern States Metals is a full-service custom aluminum extrusion manufacturer producing precision extruded parts and profiles (sizes 1/4" to 24", tolerances to ±0.001") for more than 30 industry verticals. Under a single point of contact, the company integrates design engineering, extrusion, fabrication (CNC machining, welding, bending), surface finishing (anodizing, powder coating, painting, polishing), assembly, custom packaging, and logistics/warehousing. Its Solar FlexRack division also delivers turn-key fixed-tilt and single-axis solar racking installations.
Is Northern States Metals a public or private company?
Northern States Metals is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Northern States Metals founded?
Northern States Metals was founded in 1972. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Northern States Metals based?
Northern States Metals is headquartered in Youngstown, United States, in the North America region.
How does Northern States Metals make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Aluminum Extrusion Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are engineering and Fabrication Services and finishing Services.
Who are Northern States Metals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bonnell Aluminum, Western Extrusions, Alexandria Industries, Taber Extrusions, Kaiser Aluminum, Nextracker, Array Technologies and Pennex Aluminum. Hydro Extrusion is listed as a broad incumbent. FTC Solar is listed as an emerging player.
Does Northern States Metals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Northern States Metals.
What industry is Northern States Metals in?
Northern States Metals's product category is Custom Aluminum Extrusions & Fabrication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKACAG, Aluminum Extrusion, with a secondary code of IMAKACAI, Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating). Its NAICS code is 331318 and its SIC code is 3350.