Company History

TW Metals has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. It all began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when George E. Lees and Harold E. Williams joined forces to establish the Lees-Williams Company, which later evolved into Williams and Company, Inc., and eventually TW Metals.

TW Metals was formed in 1998 through the merger of Tubesales and Williams & Company. Williams and Company, Inc., established in 1907 as a steel tubing distributor, quickly gained recognition as a trusted provider of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and nickel flat rolled products in the United States.

Tubesales, which emerged in 1946 on the West Coast, focused on supplying war surplus 4130 alloy airframe tubing. With its dedication to exceptional service and customer satisfaction, Tubesales expanded its operations into international pipe and tubing distribution, mirroring the success of Williams and Company. By combining the extensive experience and expertise of Williams & Company and Tubesales, TW Metals proudly offers over 150 years of combined knowledge as a specialty metals supplier. This wealth of industry insight strengthens our position as a leader in delivering top-quality specialty metals to our valued customers.

TW Metals reached another milestone by joining the O'Neal Steel family. O'Neal Industries, a reputable and family-owned parent company based in Birmingham, Alabama, acquired TW Metals in 2005. This partnership has provided TW Metals with even greater resources and opportunities to expand its global reach in specialty metals.

At TW Metals, we have always been committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and unparalleled service. With our strong foundation rooted in the legacy of Williams and Company, Inc., and Tubesales, we continue to excel as a trusted supplier of specialty metals worldwide.

  

1907

Company Founding: Williams & Co.

Williams & Company founded in Pittsburgh with an initial investment of 5,000 dollars. Harry Williams and 2 employees cut pipe to length with a manual hacksaw and delivered it by wagon, trolley and even on foot.

   

1909

Monel Tubing Addition

Harry Williams buys out his partner and adds Monel products to his carbon steel tubing line.

   

1919

Boiler Tubing Expansion

Williams added boiler tubing along with a complete line of Copper and Brass products.

   

1920

Tubesales Metals opens a facility in Cincinnati, Ohio

   

1928

Distribution Agreement

Williams and Company enters a distribution agreement with Alcoa for Aluminum products making TW Metals Alcoa’s second oldest distributor.

   

1946

Tubesales Establishment

Tubesales was started by Forrest G. (Frosty) Harmon and Mason E. Franklin. With a borrowed 10,000 dollars the partners opened their business from rooms over Tony’s Goodfellow’s Grill on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. The new company quickly developed a reputation for competitive pricing and a prompt delivery. A Toledo, Ohio location was also opened.

   

1953

Office Expansion

Williams opens an office in Louisville Kentucky to join facilities in Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Toledo.

   

1958

First Eastern Branch

Tubesales opens its first eastern branch in Englewood New Jersey.

   

1960

Aluminum Product Addition

Tubesales adds Aluminum to its product line and Superior moves to 100% ownership of Tubesales.

   

1963

First International Facility

Tubesales opens its first international facility in Southampton U.K.

   

1964

Tubesales Metals opens a facility in Charleston, WV

   

1966

Tubesales opens a facility in Atlanta, GA

   

1969

Tubesales opens a facility in Phoenix, AZ

   

1975

Tubesales opens a facility in Rogers, MN and Charlotte, NC

   

1977

Tubesales opens a facility in Carol Stream, IL

   

1980

Houston Expansion

Tubesales Houston opens and the national inventory expands to include stainless steel, High Alloy fittings and flanges. TW Metals also opens facilities in Forth Worth, TX and Rochester, NY

   

1984

Tubesales opens a facility in Wichita, KS

   

1985

Tubesales opens a facility in Mequon, WI

   

1986

Tubesales opens a facility in Savannah, GA

   

1989

Tubesales opens a facility in Agawam, MA and Woodinville, WA

   

1990

TQP Implementation

Tubesales implements TQP (Total Quality Process) and Tubesales France opens to serve the Aerospace Industry.

   

1993

ISO-9000 Accreditation

Tubesales became the first tubular distributor to earn ISO-9000 accreditation.

   

1995

Quick Response Team

Tubesales establishes the Quick Response Team (QRT) to handle customers who require small amounts of material.

   

1996

Acquisition: Guggenheim Metals

Williams & Company acquires Guggenheim Metals, a distributor of copper, brass, and aluminum.

   

1997

Tubesales Japan

Tubesales Japan opens to serve aerospace sub-contractors.

   

1998

Merger of Tubesales and Williams

Tubesales and Williams & Company, both owned by The Superior Group, are merged to form TW Metals. Tubesales acquires TD Materials, a distributor of aerospace extrusions. Also, Philip Cornes, a nickel alloy and stainless distributor based in the U.K., is acquired.

   

2002

Refocusing

TW Metals sold its Red Metals Unit and refocused on its core specialty metals business in tubing, pipe, bar, extrusions, and Aerospace Aluminum sheet & Plate.

   

2003

TW Metals Polska

TW Metals Polska opens to service aerospace customers in Eastern Europe.

   

2005

Acquisition by O’Neal Steel

TW Metals is purchased by O’Neal Steel and becomes part of what is now the High Performance Metals Group of O’Neal Industries.

   

2007

Facility in Bangalore

TW Metals opens a facility in Bangalore, India, to service aerospace sub-contractors. Philips Cornes opens a sales office in China. The Nuclear Business Unit(NBU) is formed.

   

2008

Acquisition: Stainless Tubular Products

TW Metals acquires Stainless Tubular Products (STP), a New Jersey-based distributor of stainless tubing, pipe, fittings, and bar with extensive in-house polishing capabilities.

TW Metals opens a facility in Suzhou, China

   

2012

New Facilities in Italy & Germany

TW Metals opens new facilities in Italy and Germany.

   

2017

Facility in Puebla Mexico

TW Metals opens a facility in Puebla, Mexico, to service both aerospace and commercial customers.

   

2018

Acquisition: Locate Supplies LTD

TW Metals acquires Locate Supplies LTD in Peterborough, U.K. to service commercial customers.

   

2020

Locate Supplies LTD opens a facility in South Hampton, U.K.

   

2021

TW Metals opens a facility in Singapore

   

Today

Global Supply Chain

TW Metals operates 30 worldwide locations and is a leader in Specialty Metals distribution providing Global Supply Chain Solutions.

   

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