Service Centers

Simon Sells Contractors Steel to Union Partners
Written by Tim Triplett
May 17, 2018
For the many friends and admirers who believed Don Simon would be in the steel business forever, the day has finally come. Simon has sold the family business to Union Partners.
“I am extremely grateful to have been able to serve the steel industry for as long as I have,” stated the 87-year-old Simon, who founded the service center operation in 1960. “Throughout my 60 years in the industry, I have seen a lot of changes occur and rather than shy away, my team and I embraced these shifts as opportunities to grow the business. I see that same mindset in Union Partners and believe in their determination and ability to breathe new life into the steel service center industry. I could not be happier that the legacy of Contractors, and the fantastic workforce that supports it, will continue to thrive under Union Partners’ strong vision and stewardship.”
Contractors Steel serves North America from five strategic locations in the Midwest: Livonia, Grand Rapids and Van Buren Township, Mich.; Twinsburg, Ohio; and Hammond, Ind. It built its reputation on having a large and varied inventory of carbon and structural steel products, along with a fleet of more than 90 trucks, enabling it to service customers within 24 hours. The company maintains over 100,000 tons of carbon and structural plate, beams, pipe, tube, angles and channels within 2.1 million square feet of indoor and outdoor storage space. Contractors also has a full range of processing capabilities that include laser cutting, drilling, tapping, machining, cambering, grinding, saw cutting, shearing, press breaking, plate and structural rolling, plate processing and plate burning. It employs 390 and has annual revenues around $250 million.
“Contractors Steel is a company where entrepreneurialism and family values took hold decades ago—a model we are replicating with Union Partners today. We are honored to welcome Contractors to the family and humbled that Don Simon, who is greatly admired in the industry, has chosen us to carry on his legacy,” stated Chris Hutter and Paul Douglass, co-founders of Chicago-based Union Partners.
Marc Bokas, long-time chief operating officer for the company, will succeed Simon as chief executive officer. “Union Partners’ acquisition of Contractors Steel Company opens a whole new range of opportunities for our employees and customers,” Bokas said. “Their innovative, professional and forward-looking approach to business will drive us to enhance our performance in all ways. Combining the best practices and policies of Contractors Steel with those of the Union Partners’ family of companies, we shall strive to produce an optimum operating entity that will meet or exceed all industry standards and expectations. I greatly appreciate this opportunity and look forward to a fantastic future for myself and all of Contractors Steel employees.”
The strategic acquisition of Contractors Steel provides further expansion for Union Partners as they focus on increasing their geographical reach and product offerings. Contractors joins Union Partners’ family of companies that includes Maksteel, Lamination Specialties, Mapes & Sprowl, Cortran, Lee Steel, Chicago Steel, Berg Steel, JIT Steel Service, JIT Steel Transport, Opus Metals and a greenfield development on the campus of Big River Steel.

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Service Centers

Olympic taps Zito for new VP of development role
Cleveland-based Olympic Steel Inc. has promoted Scott M. Zito to the newly created role of vice president of business development. Zito has been with the company for more than 40 years.

Worthington Steel and Samuel to close Cleveland coil processing JV
Worthington Steel confirmed it is closing the Worthington Samuel Coil Processing (WSCP) facility in Cleveland. WSCP is a joint venture between Worthington Steel and Oakville, Ontario-based Samuel, Son & Co.

Galvanized buyers brace for market shifts amid rising tariffs
One buyer summed up the prevailing sentiment: “Everything is pointing up — pricing, sentiment, order activity. But the real test will come once the immediate reactionary buying subsides. Will there be enough true demand to support these levels through mid-year? That’s the big unknown.”

Olympic Steel sees increased line pipe jobs while lead times jump on Trump tariffs threats
Olympic Steel has seen jobs for line pipe jump in recent weeks as the Trump administration has talked up fossil fuel production, which is good news for hot-rolled coil producers. Meanwhile, tariff talk has lengthened lead times, Olympic executives said.

Ryerson swung to loss in ’24, but saw fortunes improve over the last month
Ryerson swung to a loss in the fourth quarter, but has seen a turnaround in the last 30 days.