Farewell, Bob.

After 14.5 years, it’s time to say goodbye to our outstanding Purchasing Manager, Bob Rumschlag.

Bob has transformed our business with his discerning skills at analyzing our product needs versus suppliers and the world market. He will be dearly missed. We wish Bob a happy and healthy retirement.

Here are some fun facts about Bob we have learned.

• Job Before Parker Steel: Materials Manager for Precision Springs Distributor
• Childhood Dream: To become a professional baseball player
• First job: Cut lawn for $2 per lawn!!
• Favorite thing about working for Parker Steel: The owners’ appreciation of completed work and success.
• Retirement Goals: To spend more time Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Kayaking, Traveling, and spending more time with his four children and TWENTY grandchildren!

Totally Tubular

Parker Steel is not your “run of the mill”( no pun intended) steel distributor. Nope, we’re unique, and so is our metal. Not only do we only offer metric sizes, but here is a list of other tubing products that set us apart: Itty bitty, teeny weenie tubes( Capillary) Humungous Tubes (over 250 mm in some product lines) Telescopic Tubes (for our pirate clientele Arggg!) Tube tops (just kidding!!!) Call our experienced and totally awesome sales staff for more info.

03/01/17

News From Parker Steel

1st Qtr 2018 Newsletter

Call Now: 800-333-4140     Huge Inventory of Stainless Steel Variety of Shapes and Grades   Among many other types of steel, Parker Steels stocks a huge variety of stainless steel bar, tube, and structural shapes. Within these shapes, a seemingly endless choice of grades and metric dimensions.  Our stainless steel round bar alone is offered in 8 different turned ground and polished (TGP) grades. Tubing is offered in a variety of grades and we offer everything from 1.8 mm OD capillary tube up to 273 mm OD tubing with varying wall thicknesses. We offer equal and unequal stainless angle as well as channel, T bar, shim stock, plate, and even threaded rod.  For your convenience our website publishes the chemistry and mechanical properties and tolerance charts of many of our stainless steel products. Give us a call and our sales team can fill you in on all details you would need. Download our 2018 Reference Guide Our 2018 Reference Guide is Now Available   This guide is full of great information and in-depth detail regarding the specific grades and standards of all metal types for each product can be found. Tolerance charts, DIN and EN comparisons, mechanical properties, US vs. international standards, conversion and equivalency charts, information on finishes, pressure charts and more. Note that this is only a guide and does not necessarily reflect our current inventory, however we do stock nearly 6,000 line items and can order most anything else.  Download our Reference Guide Now orRequest a hard copy  Attention Accounting Department: In an ongoing effort to save trees, please email your invoices to: Accounting@MetricMetal.com     Brass, Copper & Aluminum   Parker Steel offers a lot more than just Carbon and Stainless Steel. We stock a large inventory of Brass Copper and Aluminum in many grades and metric dimensions. Please see our Reference Guide or simply stroll through our new website to see what we have to offer. If you don’t see what you need, contact us! We are happy to look for your request and we will do our best to find it.

Parker Steel | 1625 Indian Wood Circle, PO Box 1508, Maumee, OH 43537

12/21/17

Metric-Sized Carbon Tubes Help Keep Custom Bicycle Carts Dry

Bike and a Box- Custom Bicycle Cart Vending

Made with Metric

Food trucks have been a fixture in and around Los Angeles, CA, for more than 40 years, in the form of Mexican taqueros, where one could get an authentic taco for at least half the price of a sit down restaurant. However, when Korean Roy Choi drove his Kogi Truck throughout the LA area, cooking up Korean short-rib tacos and kimchi dogs, a movement took off. Today, food trucks are a culinary fixture, serving everything from gourmet foods to ice cream, often as outposts of brick and mortar restaurants. But they are expensive to run, making them cost-prohibitive for budding chefs and cooks who can whip up a good meal but don’t have the capital to invest in a full truck. Albuquerque, NM-based Bike and a Box is the answer to their prayers.

Founded in 2016 by David Langer, Bike and a Box is the result of many conversations with customers involved in the coffee industry who wanted to take their business on the road. Langer has been in the coffee roasting and sales business for 26 years, owning a coffee roastery in Albuquerque now run by his wife. According to Langer, a food truck business can cost tens of thousands of dollars to start up. “A lot of younger millennials are getting into it,” said Langer. “It enables them to start a business. If one location doesn’t work, they can easily find another location. The investment is less than $5000.”

Langer’s son Jonathan is a design engineer and they conceptualized the design together. Six people assemble the bikes in a warehouse located across the street from the coffee roastery. The bike platform itself is imported from a large bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan. All components are in metric sizes.

In order to build the canopies that cover the customizable truck boxes, Langer needed to find a supplier that could provide metric size  square carbon steel tubes that could be easily welded to the bike platform in a short period of time. He worked with Parker Steel Company (Maumee, OH) to order carbon steel square tubing ranging in size from 15mm x 15mm x 1.5mm to 20mm x 20mm x 1.5mm. The tubing is strong enough to hold the traditional canopy or the recently introduced solar canopy at 290N/mm2 min. tensile strength. The tubing arrived within days. “We needed a local supplier because the entire customization is done in the U.S. We needed someone who could provide the material pretty fast,” said Langer. Parker Steel is the only steel distributor in the United States that stocks exclusively metric dimensional metals. Completed bikes are usually shipped within two weeks of order.

The six-speed bike itself contains a 250W rear hub-mounted electric assist motor with rechargeable battery that runs at speeds up to 29 mph for those times when pedaling is just too tiring. “With all of the weight – you carry inventory plus equipment plus canopy and anything else – the motor really goes about 20 mph,” said Langer. The stainless steel and wood box is customized to accommodate what is being sold. All counter surfaces are made from stainless steel to satisfy Health Department requirements. “We customize the box depending on what it’s going to be used for. So, if it’s used for coffee sales, obviously it’s going to have coffee-related equipment, if it’s ice cream it will have a freezer,” said Langer. A tap is available for beer sales while heating equipment can be found on hot dog carts. Inside the lacquered plywood box is a stainless steel box that can be washed and sanitized. A floor drain allows water to be drained under the cart. Custom wraps with logos, etc., cover the plywood. The entire Bike and a Box structure is assembled in Albuquerque with parts welded by local fabricators.

The next generation of Bike and a Box will have a larger, heavier platform and box. “It’s almost a little kitchen on a bike that’s going to be able to do much more,” said Langer. “It’s going to have a bigger sink – or four sinks – and you can make food with a propane stove, not just serve it.” The four-compartment sink also fulfills Health Department requirements.

Business is growing steadily – they are now selling in 20 states – and Langer expects to sell more bikes with the introduction of the new generation in 2018. The company will be relying on its suppliers and fabrication partners even more as word continues to get out. The relationship with the bike platform manufacturer in Taiwan is strong and the need for a U.S.-based metric part supplier to fit the metric-sized frame is growing. With lead times of two weeks, the ability to receive parts in a day or two is integral to delivering these bikes to budding entrepreneurs.

• If you have a product made using our metric products and would like to be featured on our website, blog and Twitter feed, please email: Marketing@metricmetal.com

9/28/17

Parker Steel featured in Cutting Tool Engineering Magazine

Read the article here:  

www.ctemag.com

9/28/17

Parker Steel has been highlighted by Today’s Medical Developments Magazine . Click on the article below for details on how Parker Steel is providing the materials needed in the Medical Equipment marketplace

www.todaysmedicaldevelopments.com/article/metric-sized-metal-parts/

9/21/17

Shawn Kaelber 

IT Manager at Parker Steel

[MAUMEE, OH – September 2017]  Parker Steel Company is pleased to announce that Shawn Kaelber has joined the company as IT Manager. In his new role, Shawn is responsible for overseeing and managing Parker Steel’s information technology department including computer and network systems and installation operations, telephone systems optimization, and other related projects. He is a liaison between Parker Steel’s customers, vendors and consultants. As part of the company’s management team, Shawn reports directly to president Jerry Hidalgo and helps shape policies and plans to improve upon current business practices and building a strong future for Parker Steel.

“Shawn has strong hands on experience in computer networking, hardware/software systems, digital and VOIP telephone systems and website management,” said Hidalgo.  “His proven track record in his areas of responsibility positions him to be a strong contributor in helping to further improve and build our business.” 

Shawn graduated from the University of Toledo with a degree in Applied Business, Computer Network Administration. Most recently, he spent three years as IT Director at Midwest Packaging Solutions. Prior to that he served 3 years as Shipping Manager, then 8 additional years as IT Director at Bergquist, Inc.

9/19/17

Parker Steel Welcomes

James “Jamie” Kaufman, Sales Manager

[MAUMEE, OH – September 2017]

  Parker Steel Company is pleased to annunce that James (Jamie) Kaufman has been appointed Sales Manager of the company’s Maumee, Ohio-based sales operation. He is responsible for developing and executing strategies to build incremental sales for Parker Steel’s metric metal supply business as well as overseeing the efforts of the company’s sales team. In his new role, Kaufman is also a part of Parker Steel’s management team, reporting to president Jerry Hidalgo.

“Jamie’s experience and focus on managing our sales team and deploying initiatives to build additional sales will help us grow moving forward,” said Hidalgo. “Jamie brings 15 years of strong experience in sales and business development, and more than 10 years of sales management.

Kaufman graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Finance and has served in sales and business development and sales management positions at Eleetus, Impact Business Design Group and About Golf, Ltd.

8/31/17

The New Home of Parker Steel Company

Parker Steel Moves for the First Time in it’s 60 year History

Leo Goldner founded Parker Steel in 1955. The business began as a steel brokerage company specializing in structural metals such as carbon channel, angel and tees.  Leo rented space in the previous location at 4239 Monroe Street.  His landlord, allowed him to use the space for free for the first year or so until Leo could make a profit. Leo couldn’t even afford to buy the steel his customers needed, so he purchased the steel using the money he asked for up front from his customers. He would then quickly buy the needed steel and whatever else he could afford and send the purchased items immediately out to the customer.  This made business very stressful, trying to keep the customers happy while building his inventory.  By 1970 he had a staff of about eight employees, including his son and current owner, Paul Goldner.

In the beginning, Parker Steel sold inch-size material; we did not specialize in metric size metals as we do now.  The building had been remodeled only once since 1955, about 20 years later in 1975. In those days, carpet was a popular choice for floor coverings, but at Parker Steel we thought it made an ideal soundproofing material as well.  That lovely brown shag carpeting remained on the walls throughout the office from that time forward. As appealing as that sounds, imagine the added delight of the residual cigarette and cigar smoke that plagued everyone’s sinuses even years after smoking was banned in the facility. Obviously, this move to a better-looking (and better smelling) building was a welcomed change for our staff.

The new headquarters at 1625 Indian Wood Circle in Maumee offers our employees and visitors, a bright and airy work and meeting space with rustic beams and wooded views. The building is located in Arrowhead Business Park, which is surrounded by many delightful eateries, shops and parks.  The former Parker Steel location was located on a busy street in an eroding area of Toledo. When Leo settled the company there it was a desirable area of town. Sadly, that part of Toledo has been on an economically downward spiral for some time.

As a bonus, it happens that the majority of our staff lives much closer to the new location, and many are using the opportunity to ride their bikes to and from work. A small walking trail and park are near our building, providing a pleasant place for all of us in the business park to walk, run, ride or just simply take in a bit of nature on our breaks. Deer, possum, hedgehogs, squirrels and birds all find refuge in these woodlands.  With our building’s expansive views of nature, many of us are able to observe these animals in their home environment right from our desks.  

We enjoy having visitors, so please call us if you would like to spend some time here with us. Bring your walking shoes and we’ll go for a stroll.

 About Parker Steel Company

Founded in 1955, Parker Steel is the only steel distributor in the United States that stocks exclusively metric dimensional metals.  The staff works closely together to fulfill customer orders, ninety-six percent of which ship out the same day.

Ideal for applications where pre-sized metric parts are needed, Parker’s cold drawn rounds, hexagons, squares, and flats; TG&P shafting; chrome-plated shafting; tubing in seamless and welded diameters; welded square and rectangular tubing; round and square telescopic tubing; hydraulic and capillary tubing; threaded rod, cold and hot rolled sheets and plates; shims; tees; angles; channels; beams; and drill rod are available in millimeter sizes. They also stock metric sizes in carbon steel, alloy, stainless steel, and brass aluminum. Plate shearing and production saw cutting services are available when needed.

Inventory includes cold drawn rounds, hexagons, squares, and flats, TG&P shafting, chrome plated shafting, tubing in seamless and welded diameters, welded square and rectangular tubing, round and square telescopic tubing, hydraulic tubing, capillary tubing, threaded rod, cold and hot rolled sheets and plates, shims, tees, angles, channels, beams, and drill rod in carbon steel, alloy, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, titanium, tool, and nickel alloy. In addition to its Maumee, Ohio-based headquarters, the company maintains two warehouses in nearby Toledo and has a customer service line dedicated solely to Spanish-speaking customers.

Parker Steel is ISO 9001:2015 and CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certified.

4/12/16

Energy Industry Metal Supplier

Supplying Metals to Energy Industries

ISO 9001 Certified

Parker Steel Company offers the largest supply of metric-sized metals in North America. Chrome-finished and chrome-plated parts offer corrosion-resistance to 200 hours in salt spray testing to ISO 9227 specifications with a rating of nine. The high-strength and exceptional corrosion-resistance make them suitable for the energy industry. They can be used in wind turbine, infrastructure, offshore platform equipment, earth moving equipment, cranes, forklifts, etc., in nuclear, wind, electrical, and natural gas power applications.  Parker Steel offers Special packaging  for nuclear power customers requiring stainless steel parts to prevent cross contamination with those made from carbon steel.

Inventory includes cold drawn rounds, hexagons, squares, and flats, TG&P shafting, chrome plated shafting, tubing in seamless and welded diameters. They also offer welded square and rectangular tubing, round and square telescopic,  hydraulic tubing and  capillary tubing. Threaded rod, cold and hot rolled sheets and plates, shims, tees, angles, channels, beams, and drill rod as well.  They sell a huge variety of materials such as carbon steel, alloy, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, tool, and nickel alloy.

Parker Steel Company was Founded in 1955, Parker Steel is the only steel distributor in the United States that stocks exclusively metric dimensional metals. Parker Steel is ISO 9001 and CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certified. 96 percent of all orders are shipped the same day from the company’s Toledo-based warehouses. In addition to its Maumee, Ohio based headquarters, the company maintains two warehouses in nearby Toledo and has a customer service line dedicated solely to Spanish-speaking customers.