The Material Works
The Material Works is a privately held, family-owned toll processor in Red Bud, Illinois that slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, stretcher leveling, and Eco Pickled Surface processing of flat-rolled metals for steel service centers, OEM manufacturers, and mills across the central US.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersRed Bud, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Material Works does
The Material Works, Ltd. (TMW) is a privately held toll processing company founded in 1992 in Red Bud, Illinois, that provides flat-rolled metals processing and supply-chain management services to steel service centers, OEM manufacturers, and integrated/mini-mills across the central and southern United States. The company operates two facilities in Red Bud: Plant 1 (a 416,000 sq. ft. toll processing center on the Kaskaskia River served by road, rail via a CN dedicated spur, and barge) and Plant 2 (EPS pickling and Technology Division). Core processing capabilities include precision slitting (T15, T22 lines), cut-to-length and blanking (T14, T17, T18), stretcher leveling (T16, T18), and the proprietary Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) process - an environmentally friendly alternative to acid pickling using water and steel grit, now in its fourth generation. Adjacent capabilities include 265,000 sq. ft. of climate-controlled indoor material storage with tiered turnover-based pricing, JIT stocking programs, coil optimization software, an InSite web portal for real-time inventory and order management, and value-added first-stage fabrication through on-site partners (laser cutting, turret press punching, press brake bending).
TMW generates revenue primarily through transaction-fee-based toll processing (charges per ton for slitting, leveling, pickling, etc.) with supplementary technology licensing income from its patent portfolio (20 US patents, 34 international patents covering EPS, TSC, SCS, CNC Knife Changer, and Grip-Feed systems). Storage services follow a usage-based tiered model ($0-$6 per ton per month based on annual turnover). The go-to-market motion is sales-led: dedicated account executives manage direct relationships with service centers and OEMs in the central and southern US, supplemented by technology licensing to mills and processors globally (including a 2014 JV with Jingu in China for EPS Cells in Chinese and Korean markets). The company employs 70 people with an average tenure of 14 years, carries ISO 9001:2015 certification (valid through March 2026), and has earned two American Metal Market Excellence in Steel awards for its EPS technology (2011 environmental stewardship, 2016 process innovation). Ownership remains within the Voges family (founder Kenneth Voges, now led by his son Kevin Voges as President), with no institutional capital, public listing, or parent company identified in source materials.
The Material Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Material Works
- Legal name
- The Material Works, Ltd.
- Website
- https://tmwprocessing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Material Works is a privately held, family-owned toll processor in Red Bud, Illinois that slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, stretcher leveling, and Eco Pickled Surface processing of flat-rolled metals for steel service centers, OEM manufacturers, and mills across the central US.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Material Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metal Processing Services
- SIC
- Sheet Metal Work (3444)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)
Keywords
Where The Material Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Red Bud
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Material Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Toll Processing Services: Core revenue from toll processing of flat rolled metals including slitting, cut-to-length, blanking, stretcher leveling, and EPS pickling. Processing charges are based on tonnage and specific services required.
- Technology Licensing: TMW licenses its proprietary technology (EPS, SCS, TSC) to service centers, toll processors, and steel mills worldwide. This includes selling complete EPS systems.
- Material Storage Services: Climate-controlled indoor storage for master coils (95,000 sq. ft.) and finished goods (170,000 sq. ft.). Charges based on annual turnover rate, with better rates for higher turnover customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - High Turnover (5+) |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - Moderate Turnover (4-4.99) |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - Low Turnover (3-3.99) |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - Very Low Turnover (2-2.99) |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - Lowest Turnover (1-1.99) |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Storage - Minimal Turnover (0-0.99) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Material Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Material Works (TMW) operates as a toll processor of flat-rolled metals, performing slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, stretcher leveling, and Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) processing for service centers and OEM manufacturers. The company also licenses its patented processing technologies (EPS, SCS, TSC) to service centers, toll processors, and steel mills worldwide, and offers climate-controlled material storage and logistics services from its Red Bud, Illinois facilities.
Product overview
The Material Works (TMW) offers a unified portfolio of flat rolled metals toll processing services rather than a modular software platform. The core offering consists of five primary processing capabilities: Precision Slitting (T15 and T22 lines), Cut-to-Length/Blanking (T14, T17, T18 lines), Stretcher Leveling (T16 and T18 lines), EPS – Eco Pickled Surface processing, and First Stage Fabrication (laser cutting, turret punching, press brake bending through on-site partners). These processing services are supported by add-on capabilities including the InSite Web Access customer portal for real-time inventory/order management, Coil Optimization proprietary software, Material Storage/Stocking with climate-controlled facilities totaling 265,000 sq. ft., and flexible Logistics via road, rail, and barge. TMW operates two divisions: the Processing Division performs all material processing and manages customer inventory, while the Technology Division develops innovative solutions like EPS (now in Generation 4) and licenses patented technologies to service centers, toll processors, and steel mills worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Eco Pickled Surface (EPS): Environmentally friendly steel pickling process that replaces acid pickling. Patented by TMW and licensed worldwide.
- Smooth Clean Surface (SCS)
- EPS Unlimited
Products and services
- Precision Slitting High-precision slitting of flat rolled metals using automated setup, quick changeover, and in-line leveling. Covers gauges from 0.012" to 0.315" across the T15 and T22 lines. Serves service centers and OEM manufacturers.
- Cut-to-Length/Blanking Cutting steel coils to specified lengths with multi-cut blanking capabilities, including patented grip-feed system for +/-0.010" part length accuracy. Lines include T14, T17, and T18 covering thicknesses from 0.010" to 0.312". Serves service centers and OEM manufacturers.
- Stretcher Leveling Hydraulic stretching process that produces perfectly flat, stress-free blanks with no residual shape memory or springback. Lines include T16 (0.012"-0.187") and T18 (0.060"-0.320"). Used by OEMs requiring flat laser-ready blanks.
- EPS - Eco Pickled Surface Environmentally responsible alternative to acid pickling that removes mill scale from hot rolled steel using water and fine steel grit, producing a clean, rust-resistant surface optimized for painting. Available at Plant 2 with gauge range 0.050" to 0.315".
- First Stage Fabrication Value-added fabrication services offered through on-site business partners: laser cutting (MAZAK Hypergear 510 CNC and flying optic flat sheet laser), turret press punching (33-ton), and press brake bending (110-ton CNC).
- Material Storage/Stocking Services Over 95,000 sq. ft. of indoor master coil storage and 170,000 sq. ft. for finished goods, all climate controlled. Includes JIT stocking programs with tiered pricing based on annual turnover.
- EPS Technology Licensing Licensing of proprietary technology (EPS, SCS, TSC) to service centers, toll processors, and steel mills worldwide, including complete EPS system sales and installation.
- InSite Web Access Portal Customer portal providing real-time inventory and order status access, automated shipping notification, search and filtering tools, and mobile device support for TMW customers.
- Logistics Services Flexible inbound/outbound logistics accepting steel via road, rail (CN system dedicated spur), and barge (Kaskaskia River to Mississippi River connection), with freight coordination support.
- EPS Unlimited Special dry, oil-free EPS sheet product with uniform surface optimized for paint adhesion and superior appearance, stretcher leveled for flatness exceeding temper pass.
Quantifiable outcome
- Stretcher leveled material achieves 1/4 of ASTM A568 Table 13 tolerance after laser cutting
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Material Works
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Material Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
The Material Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Jingu (China)coreJoint venture with China's largest wheel manufacturer to build EPS Cells for Chinese and Korean markets. Established at 270,000 sq. ft. facility in Fuyang, China.
- Red Bud Industries (RBI)coreTMW's processing equipment is built by Red Bud Industries, a leading coil processing machinery producer. TMW and RBI share common heritage through founder Kenneth Voges. Despite being separate companies, their tight partnership and proximity to RBI's parts and service people gives TMW an additional edge in equipment support and maintenance.
- First Stage FabricationsupportingOn-site business partners offering value-added first stage fabrication services including laser cutting, turret press punching, and press brake bending. Located at TMW facility to eliminate transportation costs and reduce cycle time for customers.
- Southern Illinois Transfer Co. (SITCO)supportingOperates 30,000 sq. ft. long-term storage solution adjacent to Plant 1. Allows TMW to maintain customer inventory in their system while offering seamless service through same TMW contact, same web access inventory, and same barge/rail access.
- CN RailwaysupportingCN provides direct rail service to TMW's facility via dedicated spur. Rail shipments are unloaded by overhead crane directly into coil storage without touching a truck.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Material Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Red Bud Industries: Red Bud Industries builds the coil processing machinery that TMW uses across all six of its processing lines. Closely tied to TMW through shared founder Kenneth Voges and ongoing equipment partnership, serving as both a key supplier and ecosystem participant.
- North American Stainless: North American Stainless is a flat-rolled stainless steel producer with in-house processing capabilities. Tangentially comparable as an adjacent player in flat-rolled metals processing, though primarily a mill rather than toll processor.
Broad incumbents
- Worthington Enterprises: Worthington Enterprises (formerly Worthington Industries) is a large US processor of flat-rolled steel with pressure cylinder and steel processing businesses. Comparable to TMW as a steel processor serving OEMs and service centers, though at much greater scale and with broader product breadth.
- Ryerson: Ryerson is a major US metals service center offering processing services including slitting, cutting, and leveling of flat-rolled products. Comparable to TMW in toll processing capabilities, though Ryerson serves a much broader product and customer footprint.
- Kloeckner Metals: Kloeckner Metals is a multi-metal service center with flat-rolled processing capabilities and a focus on digital supply chain tools. Comparable to TMW in processing services and customer segments, though larger and more diversified across metals types.
- Reliance Steel & Aluminum: Reliance is the largest US metals service center company with extensive flat-rolled processing operations across hundreds of facilities. Comparable to TMW as a flat-rolled processor, though operating at vastly greater scale with broader product categories.
Direct peers
- Olympic Steel: Olympic Steel is a US metals service center processing flat-rolled steel with slitting, cut-to-length, leveling, and warehousing operations. Closely comparable to TMW's toll processing model and customer base across industrial end markets.
- Mill Steel Co. Mill Steel is a flat-rolled steel service center offering slitting, cut-to-length, and blanking for OEMs and service centers. Direct competitor to TMW in toll processing with overlapping Midwest customer base.
- Steel Technologies: Steel Technologies is a flat-rolled steel processor and toll processor serving automotive, appliance, and HVAC OEMs across multiple US facilities. Directly comparable to TMW in processing services (slitting, blanking, leveling) and OEM customer mix, with broader geographic reach.
- Heidtman Steel Products: Heidtman Steel is a toll processor of flat-rolled steel with slitting, cut-to-length, and blanking capabilities serving automotive and industrial customers. Direct competitor to TMW in Midwest toll processing with similar OEM and service center customer mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Material Works social profiles
Digital presenceThe Material Works compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Material Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Material Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Material Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Material Works 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 The Material Works
What does The Material Works do?
The Material Works (TMW) operates as a toll processor of flat-rolled metals, performing slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, stretcher leveling, and Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) processing for service centers and OEM manufacturers. The company also licenses its patented processing technologies (EPS, SCS, TSC) to service centers, toll processors, and steel mills worldwide, and offers climate-controlled material storage and logistics services from its Red Bud, Illinois facilities.
Is The Material Works a public or private company?
The Material Works is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was The Material Works founded?
The Material Works was founded in 1992. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Material Works based?
The Material Works is headquartered in Red Bud, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Material Works make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Toll Processing Services are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and material Storage Services.
Who are The Material Works's main competitors?
Others on record are Red Bud Industries and North American Stainless. Broad incumbents are Worthington Enterprises, Ryerson, Kloeckner Metals and Reliance Steel & Aluminum. Direct peers are Olympic Steel, Mill Steel Co., Steel Technologies and Heidtman Steel Products.
Does The Material Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Material Works.
What industry is The Material Works in?
The Material Works's product category is Metal Processing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAC, Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping). Its SIC code is 3444.