What Is Alro Steel Corporation?
Alro Steel is your friendly one-stop shop for strong metals and bendy plastics that make projects pop. They cut everything to the size you need, so no extra sawing at home. With roots in Jackson, Michigan, they’ve helped builders, car fixers, and toy makers for over 75 years.
Picture a busy dad rushing to finish a bike ramp before the weekend. He calls Alro, and boom—next-day delivery of aluminum sheets saves the day. That’s their magic: quick help without the fuss. Over 80 spots mean they’re close by, serving 50,000 customers a year with smiles.
- Quick Definition: A family biz that stocks steel, aluminum, brass, and plastics for factories or backyard fun. Think of a car shop grabbing stainless steel for truck beds—Alro cuts it perfect, no waste. Stats show their huge inventory beats most rivals, per company reports.
- Why Pick Alro? Fast shipping and personal chats beat waiting on big chains. Tip: Measure your spot twice, then phone for a custom cut—it trims your work by half. Compared to online giants, Alro feels like borrowing from a pal, not dealing with robots.
Alro’s Fun History
Two brothers, Al and Robert Glick, kicked things off in 1948 right next to their dad’s scrap yard in Jackson, Michigan. They rented that garage spot with big dreams of selling scrap metal to locals. Fast forward, and it’s a family tale of hard work turning into a nationwide helper.
Remember when families fixed cars in the driveway? Alro started like that—simple and hands-on. By the 1950s, they added their first truck for deliveries. Now, under CEO Randy Glick, they keep that warm vibe while growing smart.
- From Garage to Giant: Born from brothers’ grit, now a top metals distributor. Fun fact: They began with dad’s old yard, proving small starts lead to big wins. Experts at Forbes note family ties keep service top-shelf.
- Big Growth Story: Hit 16 states by serving everyday needs. In the 1970s, they added plastics for eco-friendly builds, like lightweight signs. Key steps: 1950s truck buys; 2000s online shop; recent Oshkosh plant in February 2025 for Midwest ease. One case? A solar panel maker got aluminum frames quick, boosting their green project.
Products They Sell
Alro’s shelves burst with tough steel bars for bridges or shiny aluminum for boats. They also stock plastic sheets that bend without breaking—perfect for signs or shelves. Everything comes cut to your specs, so it’s ready to use.
Say you’re crafting a birdhouse; grab cedar-like plastic from Alro that’s weather-proof. Their range covers hot rolled steel for heavy lifts to brass for pretty fittings.
- Top Metals Picks: Steel plates, aluminum rods, and stainless for wet jobs. Tip: Choose stainless to fight rust in rainy spots—saves fix-up headaches. Company stats brag the widest stock around, beating competitors like Ryerson.
- Plastics and More: Rods, sheets, and tools for light tasks. Alro’s plastics outshine wood for easy carry and long life. Example: A toy factory snagged acrylic sheets for clear windows, making playtime safer and brighter.
Where to Find Alro
Scattered like friendly dots on a map, Alro has over 80 spots in 16 states from Michigan to Texas. No long drives—just pop in for hands-on picks. Their site maps it all easy.
If you’re in California dreaming of a fence, Alro’s there with chain-link ready. Online shopping at myalro.com lets you browse anytime.
- State-by-State Guide: Covers the Midwest heart to sunny coasts. Tip: Punch your zip on alro.com for the nearest door—cuts travel time. Fun note: Michigan roots mean extra pride in Great Lakes steel.
- Online Easy Shop: Click, order, ship—24/7 fun. Pros: See stock live; cons: Double-check sizes. Bullets for wins: Fast quotes; home delivery; eco-pack options.
What Folks Say
Buyers cheer Alro’s speedy cuts and fair prices, like getting candy at the corner store. But whispers about busy days and work tweaks pop up too. Overall, Glassdoor gives 3.9 stars from 315 chats—solid thumbs up.
One builder shared, “Grabbed steel fast for my deck—prices beat the rest!” Yet, a recent December 2025 lawsuit in Jackson spotlights harassment claims, pushing for better safety nets. Alro’s responding with HR boosts.
- Good and Tricky Bits: 78% upbeat on quick service. Review gem: “Custom cuts saved my deadline,” from an Indeed pal. Tip: Test samples free to match your vision.
- 2025 News Buzz: Eyes on fair work amid growth. Forbes says they serve North America wide, with new plants like Oshkosh adding jobs. Stat: Average pay hits $80,695 yearly, per Salary.com.
2025 Steel Trends
Steel world’s buzzing in December 2025—prices climbed to $920 per ton on hot-rolled coils, thanks to 50% tariffs on imports. Demand ticks up 3.4% in growing spots, per World Steel Association, but global output dips to 1.846 billion tonnes amid trade woes.
Alro shines here with local stock, dodging slow ships. Green pushes mean more recycled picks—think low-carbon steel for eco-homes.
- Market Shifts: Prices up, production eases weekly per AISI. Insight: Tariffs help U.S. mills like Nucor‘s six-week hikes. OECD warns excess capacity hurts green shifts, but Alro stocks sustainable bits.
- How Alro Fits In: Quick local grabs for trendy builds. Case: A solar firm used their light aluminum for frames, cutting ship waits. Bullets: Tariffs boost buys; green steel wins; auto output rises slightly for sheet demand.
Vs. Other Suppliers
Alro feels like the cozy diner next to fancy chains like Ryerson or Kloeckner. They focus on family-fast service, while others chase global scale. Alro’s 80 U.S. spots mean quicker grabs than Ryerson’s worldwide web.
For small jobs, Alro wins with no-minimum orders. Big firms shine for massive hauls, but Alro’s cuts save you tools.
- Key Match-Ups: Alro: Personal, speedy; rivals: Tech-heavy but pricier. Bullets: Alro—next-day to 50,000 clients; Ryerson—global but slower inland; Kloeckner—processing pros, less local touch. Tip: Local for urgent? Alro’s your pick.
- Best For You: Everyday builders love the ease. Stat: Next-day beats import lags by weeks. Go Alro for backyard wins over corporate waits.
Smart Buyer Tips
Shopping metals? Start with your project’s needs—like weight for shelves or shine for art. Alro’s team chats it out, no pressure.
- Pick Right Stuff: Match type to task for long joy. Numbered hacks: 1. Sketch your build first. 2. Ask for rust-proof picks in damp areas. 3. Try recycled for green points. Fixes waste woes—plan sizes to avoid extras.
- Save Time & Cash: Quote online, bundle buys. One builder shaved 20% on bulk steel via quick calls. Pro move: Visit a store for feel-it touches before big spends.
Alro Steel Corporation turns metal hunts into easy adventures—from garage roots to your doorstep. With 2025’s price ups and green waves, their quick, cut-to-fit ways make building fun again. Grab a quote today and kick off that project—what’s yours? Drop a note below!
FAQs Alro Steel Corporation
What does Alro Steel sell?
Alro Steel sells a wide range of metals like steel bars, aluminum sheets, stainless plates, and brass fittings, plus plastics such as acrylic rods and sheets. They cut everything to your exact size for projects big or small. With unmatched inventory, they serve builders, factories, and hobbyists across North America, ensuring you get quality stuff fast without hassle.
Where are Alro Steel locations?
Alro has over 80 locations spread across 16 U.S. states, starting from their Jackson, Michigan home base to spots in Texas, California, and the Midwest. Use their website map to find the closest one for easy pickups or deliveries. This setup means quick access no matter where you build, from coast to coast.
Is Alro Steel family-owned?
Yes, Alro Steel is proudly family-owned, started by brothers Al and Robert Glick in 1948 and still led by the Glick family today, with Randy Glick as CEO. This keeps things personal, like chatting with neighbors who care about your project. Their long history builds trust in every cut and shipment.
How fast is Alro delivery?
Alro offers next-day delivery on most cut-to-size orders, getting your metals or plastics to you super quick for urgent jobs. From their 80+ warehouses, they ship nationwide, beating slow imports. This speed helps finish projects on time, whether it’s a home fix or factory rush.
What are Alro Steel reviews like?
Reviews for Alro Steel mix praise for fast service and fair prices with notes on busy workdays. Glassdoor scores 3.9/5 from 315 folks, highlighting great benefits and team spirit, though some want better management tweaks. Buyers love the custom cuts, making it a solid pick for reliable help.
Does Alro do custom cuts?
Absolutely, Alro specializes in custom cuts using saws, lasers, and shears for metals and plastics to fit your exact needs. No more extra work at home they handle it all for precise, waste-free pieces. This service saves time and tools, perfect for any build from small crafts to big structures.