Metal Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 42351Revenue
$270.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
137k
Businesses
8,405
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Metal Wholesaling in the US industry analysis
The success of the Metal Wholesaling industry hinges on downstream production and the prices of metals, including iron, steel and nonferrous metals, including copper or aluminum, which wholesalers distribute to downstream markets. Shifts in the prices of metals have a mixed impact on the industry, as higher prices increase purchase costs but make up for it by having a higher resale value. Low prices reduce the cost of stocking up but come with the risk of an insufficient return. Prices have been volatile since the COVID-19 pandemic, rising dramatically after an initial contraction. Metal Wholesaling industry revenue has inched downward at a CAGR of 0.1% over the past five years and is expected to total $270.4 billion in 2024, when revenue will fall by an estimated 0.4%. Profit has also dropped over the past five years amid rising purchase fees.
Trends and Insights
- Volatile metal prices present a significant challenge for wholesalers, introducing substantial uncertainty in their pricing strategies. Stable prices allow for predictable expense calculation and consistent profitability, whereas rapid fluctuations complicate cost transfer to buyers and can erode profit.
- Many industries depend on large quantities of metals, including construction, manufacturing and retail. Metals' versatile applications, such as building infrastructure or creating consumer products, ensure wholesale customers remain diverse and widespread across different market segments.
- Production centers require substantial quantities of metal to meet manufacturing demands, particularly in the automotive and oil and gas drilling industries. Metal wholesalers supply these industries with the raw materials needed for their operations.
- Wholesalers compete fiercely to attract and retain customers by offering the lowest prices and exceptional service. Securing advantageous contracts with producers and adding value through logistics, customer support and product expertise help distinguish the most successful wholesalers in the metals market.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $270.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Struggling wholesalers were hit hard by the economic slowdown
- Metal wholesalers' primary customers are the mining, construction and manufacturing sectors. Industry wholesalers provide these downstream producers with metal sheets, bars, tin plates, wire rods, pipes and other molded metal products.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Downstream shifts will alter wholesalers' performance
- Wholesalers have dealt with a shift in downstream demand, as the value of mining will fall in the face of action taken to combat climate change while the rate of manufacturing and construction rises following their pandemic-related struggles.
Biggest companies in the Metal Wholesaling in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 14,093.3 | 1,948.9 | 13.8 | |
O'neal Industries, Inc. | 2,711.0 | 136.9 | 5.0 | |
Texas Iron & Metal | 27.6 | 3.7 | 13.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Iron and steel products, Copper and brass products and Aluminum products. Iron and steel products is the largest segment of the Metal Wholesaling in the US.
Trends and Insights
Iron and steel products account for the majority of revenue
- Steel and iron are the heaviest-duty metals provided by metal wholesalers. They're used for sheets, wire rods, forgings and beams. These products are used for boats, aerospace, automotive, machinery and other purposes that require high durability.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Recyclable Material Wholesaling in the US
- Plastics Wholesaling in the US
Complementors
- Iron & Steel Manufacturing in the US
- Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US
International industries
- Metal Wholesaling in Canada
- Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia
- Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in New Zealand
- Metal & Metal Ore Wholesaling in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Metal wholesalers distribute primary metal products, both ferrous and nonferrous, to industrial and construction markets. Wholesalers maintain inventory and may perform functions, such as sawing and cleaning and also as part of the distribution service. However, metal wholesalers do not distribute precious metals, like gold, silver and platinum, nor do they distribute insulated wire or recyclable metal scrap.
What's included in this industry?
Iron and steel productsCopper and brass productsAluminum productsStainless steel and alloysOther nonferrous metals and productsCompanies
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.O'neal Industries, Inc.Texas Iron & MetalPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
NONFERROUS METALORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERMILLALLOYIndustry Code
NAICS 42351 - Metal Wholesaling in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Volatile metal prices present a significant challenge for wholesalers, introducing substantial uncertainty in their pricing strategies. Stable prices allow for predictable ex...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Many industries depend on large quantities of metals, including construction, manufacturing and retail. Metals' versatile applications, such as building infrastructure or cre...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Production centers require substantial quantities of metal to meet manufacturing demands, particularly in the automotive and oil and gas drilling industries. Metal wholesaler...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Wholesalers compete fiercely to attract and retain customers by offering the lowest prices and exceptional service. Securing advantageous contracts with producers and adding ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Larger wholesalers dominate the market because of economies of scale, which allow them to lower per-unit costs through bulk purchasing and streamlined operations. They also b...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of O'neal Industries, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Texas Iron & Metal's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for O'neal Industries, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Texas Iron & Metal, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Upstream producers face stringent regulations to reduce the environmental impact of extraction processes, which increases operational costs. Meanwhile, downstream producers e...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Developing strong relationships with suppliers allows wholesalers to negotiate better terms and discounts. Also, timing purchases to coincide with market lows or special prom...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $270.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?
There are 8,405 businesses in the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Metal Wholesaling in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Metal Wholesaling market in United States are Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., O'neal Industries, Inc. and Texas Iron & Metal
What does the Metal Wholesaling in the US in United States include?
Iron and steel products and Copper and brass products are part of the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Metal Wholesaling in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co..
How competitive is the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.
