Locations, Digital Innovation, & Custom Distribution

It’s Kloeckner’s understanding of the circular supply chain that creates one of the strongest advantages of working with us, from the locations where we set up shop to the digital tools we build out for customers and all the granular in-betweens of our inventory and distribution. The partnership we extend to our clients throughout the entire process makes us much more than a metals distributor but a long-term partner for success. Let’s break that down a bit.

Location, Location, Location

We realize that every customer has unique needs, so we tailor solutions for each and constantly aim to exceed expectations. One factor that enables us to do this is location. The further steel has to travel, the longer your customer has to wait. That’s why we’ve conveniently set up shops throughout the Americas, strategically offering the kinds of fabrication services that correspond to the industry demands in each area.

For instance, we recognized that México has a ton of automotive needs, so we invested in a facility in Querétaro with the right equipment to win that business and secure long-term partnerships. Kloeckner Metals Monterrey, located in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, has served as a flagship in México for 17 years. We’re proud to welcome Koeckner Metals Querétaro, located in the center of Mexico; the Querétaro facility will allow us to offer more value-added services, expand processing capabilities, and coordinate just-in-time programs for customers across North America. Look out for more news on its grand opening soon!

Digital Tools

We’re intent on capturing customer satisfaction through digital tools when it comes to the complex warehousing and logistics services they need when they need them. Two free services that we’ve built to take our JIT programs to the next level are Kloeckner Direct and Part Manager. Kloeckner Direct allows spot buyers to browse and order available inventory in a few taps, while Part Manager helps our loyal customers forecast and easily replenish repeat contract procurement.

Just-in-Time Checklist

Offering a broad spectrum of processing capabilities, the right location, and the best equipment might help win the business, but customers still have other problems you must be prepared to solve. Two of those big challenges that come together are inventory and delivery. That means we must stay organized when offering 200,000+ products across different business types. Here’s a good checklist that holds us all accountable for keeping those promises –

Consistent Forecasting

People are still people, and connection means something to them. Your customer knows how much product they need and when they need it. Digital tools are changing the game, but dedicated account managers that reach out and confirm stock with their customers help reduce guesswork, avoid last-minute requests, and the personal touch makes our company an invaluable supplier.

Prioritized Production

If you promise end-to-end inventory solutions to a customer, you have to keep production levels steady. It’s a balancing act between your warehouse and their project runs, but the space you hold for them pays for itself once you’ve figured out the flow. Once again, we employ innovation in this step as well, like asset tracking devices called RFIDs. Check out this short video to see how it works at our Tulsa, OK branch.

Precision Products

You don’t even want to imagine a scenario where you’ve shipped a truckload full of steel across the state, only to receive a complaint that the hole was drilled an eighth of an inch lower than the customer specs required. This is why we invest in state-of-the-art equipment wherever possible. Mistakes will happen, but eliminating human error is part of working smarter.

Equipment Maintenance

You can’t promise precision when your machines aren’t well-oiled and calibrated for success. Rigorous checks and tune-ups are run daily at all our facilities, right down to the forklifts. Not to mention, these proactive steps help ensure we catch close calls before they happen and everyone goes home safe.

Honest Delivery Times

Just as you maintain open avenues of communication for forecasting, you better be ready to call your customer about any potential shipping complications, especially with the current driver deficit everyone is experiencing. It’s not always easy to make that call because so much of it is out of our control, but our best advice is to stick to your integrity and stay honest to circumvent customer disappointment.