Why Switching to a Surplus Steel Supplier is Good for Business
You’ve been tasked with buying steel for a project. What do you do? Generally, there are two choices: go to a steel supplier and buy prime steel. No problem in doing that, of course, but it may not be necessary. You could find a surplus steel supplier instead.
Old material, you say? Call us biased, but to us, it’s a no-brainer. For one, it’s way more cost-effective. And two, it’s a lot better for the environment. If you’re wondering how, we’ll break it down for you. In this article we’re going to take a quick look at why switching to a surplus steel supplier is good for your wallet and eco-friendly – and why that’s ultimately good for business.
Lower Cost
The good news? Steel prices are going down. But with surplus steel – or what we like to call Less-Than-Primeⓒ (LTP) steel – you can still get a lot more bang for your buck. In general, Less-Than-Primeⓒ steel costs less than prime steel.
Why is surplus steel less expensive than prime? It’s like selling anything that’s not brand new. You’re not going to be able to sell it for the same price. And it’s exactly the same when it comes to surplus steel.
Surplus steel may have been purchased for a project but never actually put to use if a project was canceled, there were design changes, or the purchaser simply ordered too much. This can range from steel that looks identical to prime steel and may even have MTRs, to steel with some minor cosmetic defects, such as scratching, pitting or rust.
The two key takeaways to remember when it comes to surplus is:
- You’ll be getting almost good-as-new steel for a fraction of the price
- Its strength and structural integrity remains intact
Reduce Carbon Footprint
It’s becoming more important for businesses of all shapes and sizes to reduce their carbon emissions and make their production lines more sustainable. How does steel fare when it comes to the environment? Pretty well, actually.
The steel manufacturing industry as a whole has been making excellent progress over the past few decades:
- Dust emissions, CO2 emissions and energy consumption have all been cut
- By-products of the steel manufacturing process, like slag, are now almost entirely repurposed (e.g. in the construction industry, it’s used in cement)
- 98% of water used can now be filtered and reused
But with surplus steel, you can go one step further: by cutting out the manufacturing altogether. Surplus steel has already gone through the manufacturing process, which means you’re cutting out the raw materials and energy needed to make it. Of course, surplus steel still needs to be shipped via trucks to project locations, so you’re not cutting out carbon emissions completely. But you’re taking a sustainable step in the right direction.
Better yet, steel can be recycled. Did you know it’s the most recycled material in North America? Each year, more steel is recycled than aluminum, paper, glass and plastic combined! This is because of its unique properties which mean that steel doesn’t experience downgrading and can be recycled again and again without compromising the quality and integrity of the steel. It’s a win-win!
Visit Texas Iron & Metal for Surplus Steel
In need of surplus steel? Look no further than Less-Than-Primeⓒ steel industry leader Texas Iron & Metal. Whatever project you need surplus steel for, we’ve got a deep inventory that’s accessible from coast-to-coast. Angle, bar grating, coils, floor plates, tubing, sheets, welding supplies, and a whole lot more! With knowledgeable staff, we’ll make it quick and easy for you to find what you need, purchase it and load it up.
Don’t see the product or size you’re looking for on our website? Just call us and we’ll check our vast inventory. If we don’t have it, we’ll make sure to source it for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to take advantage of our surplus bargains – these products are “steels!”