Metal Supermarkets

Metal Supermarkets was established in 1985 as a single location in Mississauga by William H. Mair, who saw an untapped market in offering small quantities of metal, which many large metal suppliers could not satisfy. Therefore, Metal Supermarkets adopted a business model based on cut-to-size metals and no minimum order size.{{cite news|title=Metal Supermarkets finds a niche to shine in|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2002/10/14/story3.html|website=bizjournals.com|accessdate=9 April 2021|agency=Albany Business Review|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=14 October 2002}}

Metal Supermarkets began franchising in 1987,{{cite web|title=Metal Supermarkets|url=https://www.franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/metal-supermarkets|website=franchise.org|accessdate=9 April 2021}} eventually expanding into the United Kingdom in 1994 and the United States in 1996. In 2007, Metal Supermarkets acquired and integrated Metal Express, a similar American metal supplier.{{cite news|title=Metal Supermarkets acquires Metal Express|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2007/10/03/metal_supermarkets_acquires_metal_express.html|accessdate=9 April 2021|agency=TorontoStar Business|publisher=Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd|date=3 October 2007}} Metal Supermarkets opened its 100th location in 2020.{{cite web|title=Metal Supermarkets to Open Its 100th Store |url=https://cfa.ca/franchisecanada/metal-supermarkets-to-open-its-100th-store/|website=cfa.ca|date=5 October 2020 |publisher=Franchise Canada|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

Metal Supermarkets supplies various metals, including various alloys, rolled metals, aluminium, brass, copper, steel, and tool steel, among others, in various shapes and grades such as bars, beams, sheets, and pipes, which can be cut to a size desired by the customer. Franchises can supply more uncommon metals for customers on request. Metal Supermarkets also offers metal cutting, shearing, notching, and fabrication services.{{cite web|title=Metals|url=http://metalsupermarkets.com/metals/|website=Metal Supermarkets Website|publisher=Metal Supermarkets|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

The first Metal Supermarkets store was established in Mississauga, Ontario by William Mair in 1985 and still operates today. In 1987, Metal Supermarkets began franchising and opened its second location in Scarborough, Ontario, before expanding to additional provinces. Presently, Metal Supermarkets operates 25 locations across Canada in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.{{cite web|title=Store Finder|url=http://metalsupermarkets.com/store-finder/|website=metalsupermarkets.com|publisher=Metal Supermarkets|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

Metal Supermarkets opened their first British store in 1994 in Birmingham, West Midlands. Metal Supermarkets presently operates 8 stores across the UK.{{cite web|title=Greenwich Welcomes Metal Supermarkets, The World's Leading Small Quantity Metal Provider|date=11 July 2022 |url=https://www.metalsupermarkets.co.uk/greenwich-welcomes-metal-supermarkets-leading-small-quantity-metal-provider/|publisher=Metal Supermarkets|accessdate=16 March 2023}}

Metal Supermarkets opened their first American store in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed in 1997 by additional stores in Buffalo, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Dallas, Texas. The company's 100th store was in San Diego, California, opened in 2020.{{cite web|title=Metal Supermarkets to Open Its 100th Store |url=https://cfa.ca/franchisecanada/metal-supermarkets-to-open-its-100th-store/|website=cfa.ca|date=5 October 2020 |publisher=Franchise Canada|accessdate=9 April 2021}} Metal Supermarkets presently operates 85 stores across 34 U.S. states.{{cite web|title=Store Finder|url=http://metalsupermarkets.com/store-finder/|website=metalsupermarkets.com|publisher=Metal Supermarkets|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

• In 2018, Metal Supermarkets President and CEO Stephen Schober was elected a Director of the Canadian Franchise Association.
• In 2021, Metal Supermarkets was in the Franchise Dictionary Magazine's Top 100 Game Changers for 2021.
• In 2021, Metal Supermarkets was ranked the 381st best franchise in Entrepreneur's annual Franchise 500 list.{{Cite web |title=Metal Supermarkets |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/metalsupermarkets/282579 |accessdate=9 April 2021 |website=www.entrepreneur.com}}

Metal Supermarkets supports skilled trades and vocational education, and advocates for greater awareness of industry shortages and better industry experience among youth. Franchises also allow high school students to gain industry experience through cooperative education,{{cite news|title=Eager student hooked on welding gets a head start on skilled trade|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/business/eager-student-hooked-on-welding-gets-a-head-start-on-skilled-trade-1.23806638|website=timescolonist.com|publisher=Glacier Community Media|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Local business sparks students' interest in welding industry|url=https://www.wrtv.com/news/hiring-hoosiers/resources/local-business-sparks-students-interest-in-welding-industry|website=wrtv.com|publisher=Scripps Local Media|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Paying it forward: a Hoosier welder making sure students have all they need to learn welding|url=https://fox59.com/news/paying-it-forward-a-hoosier-welder-making-sure-students-have-all-they-need-to-learn-welding/|website=fox59.com|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Barista versus welder: Who makes what?|url=https://pamplinmedia.com/but/239-news/445658-360116-barista-versus-welder-who-makes-what-pwoff|website=pamplinmedia.com|publisher=Pamplin Media Group|accessdate=9 April 2021}} donate metal to local schools,{{cite web|title=Debate about college vs. trade school complicated but necessary|url=https://indianapolisrecorder.com/330dc5c8-5982-11ea-8dad-b743a3e02456/|website=indianapolisrecorder.com|date=27 February 2020 |publisher=Indianapolis Recorder|accessdate=9 April 2021}} and advocate for trades as viable and in-demand career paths.{{cite news|title=Tampa Bay area facing shortage of trained welders|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/tampa-bay-area-facing-shortage-of-trained-welders#:~:text=The%20Tampa%20Bay%20area%20is,up%20infrastructure%20and%20manufacture%20goods.&text=The%20American%20Welding%20Society%20is,skilled%20welding%20professionals%20by%202022.|website=abcactionnews.com|publisher=Scripps Local Media|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

In 2019, Metal Supermarkets conducted a survey on students' perception of trade careers. The survey revealed a negative perception of vocational education and the lack of awareness of careers in trades.{{cite web|title=Trade school stigma|url=https://www.franchising.com/news/20191211_trade_school_stigma.html|website=franchising.com|publisher=Franchise Update Media Group|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite web|title=Revealing the Hidden Value of Skilled Trade Careers|url=https://www.franchise.org/franchise-information/operations-training/revealing-the-hidden-value-of-skilled-trade-careers|website=franchise.org|date=24 February 2020 |publisher=International Franchise Association|accessdate=9 April 2021}}{{cite news|title=Ending the stigma behind trade schools and jobs|url=https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Ending-the-stigma-behind-trade-schools-and-jobs-565119802.html|website=wifr.com|publisher=Gray Media Group Inc.|accessdate=9 April 2021}}

Since 2022, Metal Supermarkets has also provided scholarships to trade school students.{{Cite web |title=Trade School Scholarship Full Details |url=https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/trade-school-scholarship/trade-school-scholarship-details/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=Metal Supermarkets |language=en-US}}

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Category:Companies based in Ontario

Category:Privately held companies of Canada

Category:Franchises

Category:Retail companies of Canada

Category:Metal companies of Canada

Category:Retail companies established in 1985

Category:1985 establishments in Ontario