Steel Fabricators: Here Are Some Lesser-Known Industries You Could Break Into

As an industrial steel fabricator, you probably sell much of your metal to construction companies that are building large structures — such as skyscrapers and bridges. This is where a lot of the steel in the U.S. ends up, and these industries can mean pretty lucrative business for you. But if you are only selling to the construction sector, you're missing out. There are a few other industries that use quite a lot of steel, and breaking into these industries could boost your profits.

Computer Industry

Everyone these days needs a computer. Whether they may prefer a laptop, a tablet, or a desktop (some gamers and designers still swear by desktops), these computer users are using equipment that is made with a large percentage of steel. Many of the higher-end computers feature shells made from steel, and even low-end models have frames and attachments made from steel. People buy a new computer every couple of years, so this market should never be saturated.

Clothing Industry

Steel clothing might sound like a strange prospect. But, while few people are wearing suits of armor these days, many are wearing clothing with metal embellishments. From the studs on certain belts to the fasteners on jackets, the small steel elements in clothing can be sold for a pretty penny since they are precise and time-consuming to create. And then there is the matter of steel-toed boots. Footwear companies near you might be looking for a new supplier for the steel caps they put in those.

Cookware

Nonstick cookware, which was usually made from aluminum and coated with a nonstick material, was really popular for a while. But the nonstick coating tends to flake off and may be unhealthy, so people are switching back to an old standby: stainless steel. There are a few big names in the steel cookware industry, and breaking in as a newcomer might be tough — but you could always look into supplying one of those cookware companies with the steel they need.

Vehicle Industry

Car manufacturers are using less steel than they used to, with more components being made from vinyl and fiberglass. Still, most cars do have a steel frame, and those frames need to be made quite precisely. Working as an outsourcer for a car company could be pretty lucrative, and there are a lot of smaller car manufacturing companies who might be willing to work with you as their steel supplier.

To learn more about industrial steel fabrication, consult a resource in your area.