Steel Plus Network

What Steel Plus Network does

Steel Plus Network (SPN) is a privately held, member-owned buying group and professional networking organization for structural steel fabricators and suppliers across North America. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Moncton, New Brunswick, the network aggregates the purchasing volume of 100+ structural steel fabricators in Canada and the United States to negotiate volume rebate contracts, preferential pricing, and improved payment terms with 30+ preferred suppliers across structural steel, gas and welding, fasteners, tools, paint and applications, equipment, and related consumables. The organization is governed by an 8-person Board of Managers with regional representation (Québec, Ontario, Western Canada, Atlantic Canada, Northeastern U.S., Midwest U.S.) and operated by a small headquarters staff (1–10 employees) led by Founder/President Colleen Doucette and Director of Operations Judith Gray.

SPN's core offering is not a software product but a curated relationship-and-contract ecosystem. Members access benefits through fabricator membership (requiring $1M+ in annual net purchases and a $1K deposit) and supplier membership (requiring application, references, and a $1K deposit). Revenue comes from annual fabricator and supplier membership fees and, more recently, a tiered Supplier Partner Trial program ($10K–$25K per year) that gives prospective suppliers event access before converting to full preferred-supplier status. The exclusive Canam program gives Canadian fabricators privileged access to products and services from one of North America's largest steel fabricators.

The business is community-led and sales-vetted: members are acquired through the website, regional meetings, an Annual General Meeting, and word-of-mouth referrals, with applications requiring references and Board approval. Marketing channels include a content blog, LinkedIn and Facebook pages, the bilingual (English/French) website, and the in-person AGM and regional events. Technology is not a differentiator — SPN operates a standard website with a public 'Find a Fabricator' directory and membership application forms, and explicitly does not position itself as a software or technology platform.

Name

Steel Plus Network

Legal name

Steel Plus Network Inc.

Website

https://steelplus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Steel Plus Network is a North American member-owned buying group that aggregates the purchasing power of 100+ structural steel fabricators to negotiate volume rebates, preferential pricing, and improved terms with 30+ preferred suppliers across Canada and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Buying Group Services

NAICS

Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (423510)

SIC

Wholesale-Metals Service Centers & Offices (5051)

akta.pro primary industry

Steel Products Trading & Service Centers (Flat, Long, Pipe & Tube, Rebar) (IMAKAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fasteners, Anchors & Connectors (Bolts, Weld Studs, Plates) (IMADACAJ), Steel Plate, Sections & Welded Assemblies (IMADACAD)

Keywords

• Group purchasing organization
• Structural steel buying group
• Fabricator membership network
• Volume rebate programs
• Steel industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Moncton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fabricator Membership Fees: Structural steel fabricators pay annual membership fees to join SPN. The application process requires a $1,000 USD or CDN deposit. Members gain access to volume rebate programs, exclusive supplier discounts, improved payment terms, and networking opportunities in exchange for their membership fees and commitment to network activities.
2. Supplier Membership Fees: Preferred suppliers pay annual membership fees to join SPN. The application requires a $1,000 USD or CDN deposit. Suppliers gain access to rebate program negotiations and network events to promote their products to fabricator members.
3. Supplier Partner Trial Program: A one-year trial membership program for suppliers with three access tiers: Basic ($10,000/year for 2 regional events), Standard ($16,000/year for all regional events), and Premium ($25,000/year for all events plus Annual Convention). This is a non-rebate-payout program allowing suppliers to evaluate SPN membership before committing to full preferred supplier status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Steel Plus Network is a member-driven buying group that aggregates the purchasing demand of North American structural steel fabricators and suppliers to negotiate volume rebates, exclusive discounts, and improved payment terms. The network serves more than 100 fabricator members and 30+ preferred supplier partners across Canada and the United States, providing group purchasing programs, networking events, and an exclusive Canam program for Canadian fabricators.

Product overview

Steel Plus Network is a buying group and professional networking organization for structural steel fabricators in North America. The organization provides group purchasing programs that leverage collective buying power to secure volume rebates, exclusive discounts, and improved supplier terms for members. SPN facilitates networking opportunities through annual general meetings and regional events, connecting fabricators with suppliers across structural steel, gas and welding, fasteners, tools, paint and applications, equipment, and related consumables. The network operates distinct regional groups in Canada and the U.S., organizing meetings to discuss industry trends, share best practices, and coordinate purchasing programs. Steel Plus Network does not offer a distinct software product, platform, or technology offering — its value proposition centers on collective purchasing power, supplier relationships, and member networking rather than a product or software solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kids of Steel Endowment Fund: An endowment fund established in 2023 to provide healthy, nutritious meals for children in elementary schools across Canada.

Products and services

• Fabricator Membership Annual subscription membership for structural steel fabricators that unlocks access to Steel Plus Network's negotiated volume rebate programs, exclusive supplier pricing, improved payment terms, and the Annual General Meeting and regional networking events. Designed for North American structural steel fabricators with at least US/CDN $1,000,000 in annual net purchases.
• Supplier Membership Annual preferred supplier membership for industrial suppliers serving the structural steel fabrication industry. Provides access to rebate program negotiations, exposure to SPN fabricator members through regional and national events, and promotional opportunities through SPN marketing channels.
• Supplier Partner Trial Program One-year trial membership for industrial suppliers evaluating Steel Plus Network's preferred supplier status. Available in three tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium) with incremental event access; no rebate payouts during the trial. After one year, renewal as a full preferred supplier member is required to continue.
• Exclusive Canam Program Exclusive preferred-supplier arrangement available to Canadian Steel Plus Network fabricator members for purchasing products and services from Canam Group, one of North America's largest steel fabricators.
• Annual General Meeting and Regional Networking Events Networking and professional development events for Steel Plus Network members. The Annual General Meeting is the headline annual gathering with industry speakers and best-practice discussions, while regional meetings run continuously in six regions (Quebec, Ontario, Western, Atlantic, Northeastern U.S., Midwest U.S.) to discuss industry trends and enable capacity/workload sharing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members gain significant volume discounts and support in purchasing strategy through group buying power
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Canam Group Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanam is one of North America's largest steel fabricators and is featured in an exclusive program for Canadian SPN fabricators. Canam products and services are available exclusively through SPN membership for Canadian fabricators. Canam Group executives (Tony Bégin and Karine Hubert) serve on the SPN Board of Managers, representing the Québec region and Canam Group respectively. Multiple Canam facility locations appear in the Find a Fabricator directory.
• FastenalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFastenal is a preferred supplier partner of SPN, providing fasteners and related industrial supplies to network members. Fastenal's logo appears on the SPN homepage and U.S. Suppliers page with contact information (1-507-454-5374, Winona, MN).
• Linde (formerly Praxair)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLinde is a preferred supplier providing industrial gases and welding solutions to SPN members. A featured blog article highlights Linde's StarSolver welding optimization program, microbulk systems, automation support, and national delivery network. Linde's logo appears on the homepage with contact information (Danbury, CT).
• CombiliftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCombilift is a preferred supplier partner offering materials handling equipment solutions to SPN members. Listed on both the main homepage and U.S. Suppliers page with North American contact information (1-877-26-2456, Greensboro, NC).
• TenaquipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenaquip is a preferred supplier with over 57 years of industry experience, offering 450,000+ products including industrial safety, material handling equipment, tools, and MRO supplies. Featured in a dedicated blog article highlighting their comprehensive product selection, dedicated account teams, nationwide distribution (300+ warehouse staff), and inventory management solutions including Autocrib vending systems.
• Messer CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMesser Canada is a preferred supplier dedicated to helping SPN members achieve productivity, quality, and efficiency in metal fabrication. Featured in a dedicated blog article detailing advanced gas technologies for cutting and welding, oxy-fuel and plasma cutting solutions, shielding gases, filler metals, and technical consultation services. One case study highlighted transitioning a member from cylinder to microbulk supply, reducing downtime and lowering total gas-handling costs.
• Sherwin-WilliamscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSherwin-Williams is a preferred supplier partner providing paint and coating solutions to SPN fabricator members. Listed on the homepage and U.S. Suppliers page with headquarters address (Cleveland, OH).
• MachitechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMachitech is a preferred supplier partner offering automated fabrication equipment solutions. Listed on both the main homepage and U.S. Suppliers page with U.S. contact (Deerfield Beach, FL) and Canadian website.
• Boulon Plus (Precision Bolts)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoulon Plus (operating as Precision Bolts) is a U.S. preferred supplier partner providing fastener solutions. Listed on the U.S. Suppliers page with Salem, OR contact information.
• WurthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWurth is a U.S. preferred supplier partner listed on the U.S. Suppliers page providing fastener and assembly solutions. Contact information: 1-800-987-8487, Ramsey, NJ.
• Canam Steel Corporation (CSC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanam Steel Corporation is a U.S. preferred supplier partner with multiple regional locations: Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, New Jersey), Midwest (Illinois, Missouri), Southeast (Florida), and West (Arizona). Listed on both the homepage and U.S. Suppliers page.
• Maple Steel Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaple Steel Inc. is a U.S. preferred supplier partner providing steel products and services. Listed on the U.S. Suppliers page with Plymouth, MI contact information (1-724-354-0295).
• Frontenac TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrontenac Technologies is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• Acier BouchardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcier Bouchard is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage. Located in Quebec.
• Groupe LDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroupe LD is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on both the English and French homepage.
• WIKUSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWIKUS is a Canadian preferred supplier partner (saw blade solutions) whose logo appears on the SPN homepage and French homepage.
• CWRWminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCWRW is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• AltitubeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAltitube is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on both the English and French homepage.
• CFRIQCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCFRIQC is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on both the English and French homepage.
• Carry SteelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarry Steel is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• Acier FortinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcier Fortin is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• Maintenance SSTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaintenance SST is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• MetaliumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMetalium is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• StrazaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStraza is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.
• ValléeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVallée is a Canadian preferred supplier partner whose logo appears on both the English and French homepage.
• StarrettminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStarrett is a preferred supplier partner (precision tools) whose logo appears on the SPN homepage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Affiliated Distributors (AD): North American buying group that aggregates purchasing power for independent MEP, industrial, and building products distributors through rebate programs and supplier partnerships. Operates an almost identical contractor/supplier GPO model to Steel Plus Network, just across broader construction categories.
• NetPlus Alliance: Member-owned buying group serving industrial and construction supply distributors across North America with negotiated supplier contracts, rebate programs, and peer networking events. Closely comparable cooperative-purchasing structure with a similar two-sided fabricator/supplier (or distributor/vendor) value proposition.
• Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership: Cooperative-style buying group for commercial flooring contractors that aggregates purchasing power, negotiates supplier rebates, and runs annual networking events. Operates the same community- and rebate-driven GPO model in a different construction trade vertical.
• IMARK Group: Member-owned distributor buying group serving independent HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and industrial distributors across the U.S. and Canada. Same member-owned, supplier-rebate-funded GPO playbook, vertically adjacent to SPN's structural steel fabricator niche.

Broad incumbents

• Construction Supply Group / CSI (Construction Suppliers Industry) buying networks: Larger construction materials distributor groups that negotiate preferred-vendor programs and rebate-style terms across multiple product categories for member companies. Adjacent in function to SPN's supplier rebate model, though operating as a distributor rather than a fabricator-focused GPO.
• HD Supply (now White Cap): One of North America's largest construction materials distributors serving concrete, steel fasteners, and building products contractors with negotiated pricing and account programs. Overlaps with SPN's fabricator member pain points (procurement leverage) at scale, though it is itself the supplier rather than the GPO intermediary.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SteelPlusNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steel-plus-network
• Xx.com/SteelPlus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 Steel Plus Network