What Howard Precision Metals does

Howard Precision Metals is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based B2B aluminum distributor and processor serving industrial manufacturers across the U.S. Midwest. Founded in 1928 and operating today as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryerson Holding Corporation (NYSE: RYI), the company supplies a broad inventory of aluminum plate and bar products, complemented by in-house precision sawing services (for bar, tube, and pipe) and custom aluminum extrusions for complex, uniform cross-section designs. Its value proposition centers on tight tolerances delivered through state-of-the-art sawing equipment, strict purchasing criteria, and a team of seasoned metals professionals.

The business operates on a transaction-based, quote-driven model. Customers — primarily industrial manufacturers with precision-machined production requirements — engage the company via a dedicated phone line (1-855-793-7766), a local Milwaukee number, or an online "Request a Quote" form hosted on the Ryerson Family of Companies website. Pricing is fully customized by specification, quantity, and processing requirements; no public price list or tiered catalog is published. The go-to-market is sales-led, with digital channels serving top-of-funnel awareness and direct phone/quote engagement at the bottom of the funnel. Distribution is regional (Midwest U.S.) through a single Milwaukee facility, though the company has implicit access to Ryerson's national footprint, advanced processing capabilities, and risk management services through the parent relationship.

Howard Precision Metals is a specialized node within a large industrial distribution platform rather than a stand-alone growth vehicle. Revenue is not separately disclosed (consolidated within Ryerson), there are no patents, certifications, or awards in the source data, and there is no evidence of AI, software, or app-based offerings. The defensible characteristics of the business are its processing equipment, the technical proficiency of its sales and production staff, and the distribution and back-office leverage provided by its parent — a structure better suited to steady, end-market-linked growth than venture-style scaling.

Name

Howard Precision Metals

Legal name

Howard Precision Metals

Website

https://howardprecision.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Howard Precision Metals is a Milwaukee-based B2B distributor of precision aluminum plate, bar, and extrusions serving Midwest industrial manufacturers, operating as a subsidiary of Ryerson Holding Corporation (NYSE: RYI) with in-house precision sawing and custom extrusion services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Distribution

NAICS

Machine Shops (33271), All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299)

SIC

Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)

akta.pro primary industry

Aluminum Fabrication & Finishing (Machining, Anodizing, Coating) (IMAKACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aluminum Extrusion (IMAKACAG)

Keywords

• Aluminum distribution
• Precision sawing
• Custom extrusions
• Metal supply
• Aluminum plate bar

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Aluminum Products Distribution: Howard Precision Metals generates revenue through the sale of aluminum plate and bar products. As a distributor, they sell materials on a per-order basis with pricing determined by quantity, specifications, and market conditions. The business model is transaction-based with professional consultation for custom requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Howard Precision Metals is a premier aluminum supplier and distributor in the Midwest that sells a broad array of aluminum plate and bar products. The company complements its material distribution with in-house precision sawing services for bar, tube, and pipe, and custom aluminum extrusion services for complex uniform designs, all backed by state-of-the-art machinery and strict quality standards.

Product overview

Howard Precision Metals is a premier aluminum supplier and distributor in the Midwest, operating as part of the Ryerson family of companies. The company offers a unified portfolio combining aluminum plate and bar products with precision sawing services and custom aluminum extrusions. Their products and services work together to deliver complete precision aluminum solutions, with state-of-the-art machinery and strict quality standards ensuring the most precise tolerances for industrial customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aluminum Plate and Bar Products
• Precision Sawing Services
• Custom Aluminum Extrusions

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ryerson (Parent Company)coreOthersHoward Precision Metals is a member of the Ryerson family of companies, a major steel, stainless steel, aluminum, tool steel, alloy, and brass/copper/bronze distributor. The relationship provides access to Ryerson's national distribution network, comprehensive metal solutions, risk management services, advanced processing capabilities, and extensive product portfolio while maintaining Howard's focused precision aluminum expertise.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bonnell Aluminum: Custom aluminum extruder serving architectural, industrial, and automotive markets with value-added fabrication and finishing services. Directly comparable in the custom aluminum extrusion and finishing dimensions of Howard's business.
• Metal Supermarkets: Franchise-based small-quantity metals distributor with locations across North America, including the Midwest, selling aluminum and other metals to industrial and consumer buyers. Closely comparable business model (B2B metals distribution with cutting services), though with broader metal coverage and smaller-quantity focus.
• Service Center Metals: Aluminum extrusion billet manufacturer and supplier based in the eastern U.S., serving similar industrial customer bases with primary aluminum products and extrusions. Closely comparable to Howard's aluminum plate/bar distribution plus extrusion model.

Broad incumbents

• Norsk Hydro (Hydro Extrusion): Global aluminum and extrusion company with a North American extrusion footprint serving industrial customers. Overlaps with Howard's aluminum and extrusion offerings but operates at far greater scale and with primary aluminum production integrated.
• Constellium: Global manufacturer of high-value aluminum rolled products and extrusions serving aerospace, automotive, and packaging markets. Comparable in the aluminum value-added component space, but operating as a primary/secondary manufacturer rather than a regional distributor.
• Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. One of the largest metals service center companies in North America, processing and distributing a broad range of metal products including aluminum. Highly comparable to Howard Precision Metals in business model (B2B metal distribution with processing), but operates at vastly greater scale and across multiple metals and geographies.
• Kaiser Aluminum Corporation: Public aluminum products company specializing in semi-fabricated extruded and drawn aluminum products for aerospace, automotive, and packaging end markets. Comparable as a focused aluminum supplier with value-added processing, but operates as a manufacturer rather than a distributor.
• ThyssenKrupp Materials NA (now: TK Materials Services): North American metals service center operation of the global ThyssenKrupp group, distributing aluminum, steel, and other metals with value-added processing to industrial customers. Comparable B2B distribution plus processing model with broader metal and geographic coverage.
• McMaster-Carr Supply Company: Industrial supply giant distributing a vast catalog of metal materials including aluminum bar, plate, and extrusions to industrial buyers nationwide. Comparable in serving industrial customers with aluminum products, but with a vastly broader SKU set and national direct-ship model.

Emerging players

• OnlineMetals.com: Online-first small-quantity metals distributor offering aluminum sheets, bars, plates, and extrusions with cut-to-size services. Comparable product catalog and value-added cutting; differs by being e-commerce-led rather than regional direct sales.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HowardPrecision

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Howard Precision Metals