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Alro to Build Distribution Facility in Cedar Rapids

Written by David Schollaert

November 14, 2021

Alro Steel Corp. will expand its operations into Iowa with the construction of a new regional distribution center, according to local media reports.

The Jackson, Mich.-based metals and plastics distributor is planning to build a nearly 200,000-square-foot facility at an estimated cost of $20 million. The plant is expected to bring roughly 40 new jobs to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Cedar Rapids City Council approved a package of financial incentives for the Alro Steel project last week, according to local newspaper The Gazette.

A development agreement finalizing incentives and project terms should come to the council for consideration in December or January. The project is expected to generate $5.2 million in taxes and a $1.9 million rebate to the company, according to city documents reviewed by The Gazette.

Alro is North America’s seventh largest metals processor with revenues of $1.9 billion in 2020. The company operates more than 70 locations in 12 states, distributing a full range of metals, industrial supplies and engineering plastics. Alro has a tailor-made, cut-to-size offering for metals and plastics with next-day delivery to 25,000 customers in North America.

By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. Based in CRU’s Pittsburgh office, David can be reached at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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