Russel Metals Revenue and Competitors

Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution and processing companies in North America (based on revenues and tons sold). In order to maintain our position as a market leader, we endeavor to provide our customers with competitively priced, quality metal products and timely delivery. Russel Metals conducts its distribution business primarily in three segments: metals service centers; energy tubular products; and steel distributors. The company is one of the few metals distribution companies in the world to operate a significant international trading operation in conjunction with service centers. Our Vision To be an aggressive, proactive, top performing metals distribution and import/export business, seeking to create value through diligent emphasis on bottom line performance and effective asset management throughout the organization. Our Values We will maintain superior returns throughout current and future economic cycles. We will continue to develop and retain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, community, and, of course, our shareholders. In 1785, John Russel immigrated to Canada from Scotland and set up business as a merchant. His business soon became known as John Russel & Co. In 1866, Hugh Russel, John Russel's great nephew, set up a one man iron trading operation in Montreal. In 1916, the business became a legal entity known as Hugh Russel & Sons Ltd. and introduced the steel warehousing concept, which today is called "A Steel Service Center". Between the years of 1941 and 1947, offices opened in Winnipeg (MB), Vancouver (BC), Saint John (NB), Windsor and Toronto (ONT). In 1960 a large new office and a flagship warehouse opened in Montreal. By 1962, the Company was no longer privately owned and began an aggressive period of growth through acquisitions. In the years 1965 through 1968, various acquisitions, including Master Mechanical Mfg., Robert Steel (Canada), HD of Hamilton (Ont), Hector Steel Industries of Calgary, Alberta, gave the Company a steel distribution network through to the west coast. By 1979, as a result of further growth through acquisition, the Company expanded into the United States. In 1984, Russelsteel was sold to Federal Industries Ltd. of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Subsequently, Federal Industries acquired Russel's then largest competitor, Drummond McCall. By 1988, Russel had become Canada's largest steel distributor. Federal Industries Ltd. divested itself of its non-metals businesses and in 1995 changed its name to Russel Metals Inc. to reflect its commitment to the metals industry as its core business. From 1997 through 2004, Russel Metals acquired several companies in the metals distribution business, including: Sunbelt Group (1997), Triumph Tubular & Supply (2000), Spartan Steel Products (2001), A.J. Forsyth (2001), Arrow Steel Processors (2002), Williams Steel (2002) and Acier Leroux (2003). In 2007, Russel Metals expanded in the United States by acquiring JMS Metal Services, Inc. and related companies (“JMS”). JMS is a full line distributor of steel and aluminum products with processing and distribution facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. On November 28, 2008, JMS acquired Norton Metals. Norton Metals began in the steel industry in 1952 and is an established major steel supplier in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Norton Metals can provide your material needs from the smallest of jobs to multi-load projects. Russel Metals continues to be a leader in the metals distribution business in North America, recently ranking #4 in the "Top 50 Service Center Giants", Metals Center News, September 2007 and #5 in the "Top 100 Metal Service Centers 2007", Purchasing Magazine, May 3, 2007.