Kreher Steel Co., a Chicago-based metals distribution company with more than 40 years of experience in the industry, has acquired Ritchey Metals Company. This acquisition marks a strategic milestone for Kreher Steel Co., expanding its manufacturing footprint and enhancing its product offerings for customers and suppliers as it adds more than 120,000 tons of annual alloy output capacity.
"The addition of Ritchey Metals presents a significant opportunity for Kreher Steel Co.," said Scott Stephens, CEO of Kreher Steel Co. "This acquisition aligns with our long-term strategy to strengthen our manufacturing and processing capabilities and will provide us with the opportunity to serve customers across various additional industries. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for Ritchey’s employees and maintaining the quality and efficiency their customers and suppliers have come to expect."
Founded in 1965, Ritchey Metals is a market leader in the production of zinc and aluminum alloys and the largest zinc-aluminum steel coatings alloyer in North America. With two facilities in the Pittsburgh area and a workforce of approximately 110 employees and current production capacity of more than 10,000 tons per month, Ritchey Metals has built a strong reputation for quality and efficiency among its customers and suppliers, Kreher says.
“I am excited for the future of Ritchey Metals and the growth opportunities ahead,” said Stephen Ritchey, president and CEO of Ritchey Metals. “The transaction with Kreher Steel Co. speaks to the dedication and performance of our people over the past many decades, and it also speaks to the future opportunities for us to build on that success.”
As the preferred supplier of zinc, aluminum, and nonferrous alloys across the die-casting, electroplating and steel coating industries, Ritchey brings expertise in manufacturing corrosion-resistant coating for products that are crucial to industries such as construction and automotive. This acquisition creates opportunities for operational synergies and future growth in markets where coated sheet steel is in high demand.
Kreher Steel Co. will oversee the integration of Ritchey Metals into its existing network of businesses, which include Kreher Steel Company, an SBQ bar and cold heading quality wire rod processor and distributor in the U.S. and Canadian markets; Kreher Wire Processing, a wire rod manufacturing and processing business in Michigan; Special Metals Inc., a metals service center based in the Oklahoma and Texas markets and Special Metals Canada, located in Edmonton, Alberta.
Stephen Ritchey will remain in his role to ensure a seamless transition and continued leadership.