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Articles by Joseph Dombrowski

Joseph Dombrowski

Joseph Dombrowski

Joseph M. Dombrowski is the Chairman of the Board and CEO for Pennsylvania Steel. He started the company in 1972 and has been an expert in the steel industry for over 55 years. He was formerly the president of the MSCI Philadelphia Chapter and served in the US Army 101st Airborne Division.

PENNSYLVANIA STEEL ACQUIRES NIVERT METAL SUPPLY

Joseph Dombrowski October 25, 2022

Pennsylvania Steel Company, Inc. today announced that it will purchase certain assets of Nivert Metal Supply, Inc., a leading metals service center operating in Throop, Pa. The transaction is expected to close by the end of October.

The acquisition will allow Pennsylvania Steel to expand its geographic customer base while providing improved service for cut‐to‐size metals in the Northeast. All existing operations of Nivert Metal will continue in Throop, with Aaron Nivert ‐ son of President Louis Nivert ‐ leading the team as General Manager.

Nivert Metal President Louis Nivert said: “For more than 75 years, this family business has provided quality material and service to all our customers. But to continue to grow and thrive we need to be part of something bigger. We believe Pennsylvania Steel shares our values and commitment to customers and employees and are the right people to continue our legacy moving forward.”

“Nivert Metal joins our eight existing service centers and enhances our network of strategic locations. We are excited to welcome the Nivert Metal team to the Pennsylvania Steel family,” said Joseph Dombrowski, CEO and founder of Pennsylvania Steel. “Like Pennsylvania Steel, Nivert Metal has a great reputation in the metals industry and this acquisition enables us to continue our growth strategy, offering a wider range of products and processing capabilities across the Pennsylvania Steel footprint.”

Nivert Metal offers carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and specialty metals for next‐ day delivery to customers in Northeast Pennsylvania, Southern New York and Eastern New Jersey, as well as a full range of value‐added processing services, including burning, shearing and saw cutting.

Pennsylvania Steel is a veteran owned privately held full line Metals Service center headquartered in Bensalem PA. Pennsylvania Steel provides raw materials to the metal manufacturing sector through eight Service Center locations. Core products include carbon and alloy Steels, aluminum, stainless, tool steel, and tubing products.

PDF version of this release can be viewed here.

The Difference Between Cold-Finished and Hot-Rolled Steel

Joseph Dombrowski July 1, 2022

Business owners and makers have thousands of steel varieties on the market to choose from. With such an array of metal options, selecting the correct type, grade, and finish of your building material can be tedious. Pennsylvania Steel Co. offers a vast assortment of premium steel products at locations all over the United States. Plus, our online resources help our clients build the best projects possible.

Steel Manufacturing, Summarized

Not to be mistaken with the four main types of steel, the general steel manufacturing process falls into two main categories: hot-rolled and cold-rolled. This process starts with the extreme heating and consequent oxidation of mined steel ore.Basically, pieces of large, rectangular metal called billets are heated and flattened into sizable rolls. 

From there, the steel will go through one of the aforementioned rolling processes for its finalized design. “Rolling” refers to the vital step in the manufacturing process that involves forming the metal by using a series of rollers in an attempt to reshape it or enhance its properties. This formation method (hot or cold rolling) will determine the material’s ultimate function.

Hot Finishing Process vs. Cold Finishing Process

"In the conversation about hot-rolled vs. cold-finished products, all cold-finished products are hot-rolled, but hot-rolled products are not necessarily cold finished. Instead, it’s all a matter of how the bars are processed."

ryerson.com

Once steel is heated past its recrystallization temperature (over 1700º F) it can be easily formed and sized. If the material isn’t processed further at room temperature, it’s considered hot-rolled. The steel that goes through further refinement processes is categorized as cold-rolled. Explore further metal rolling methodology differences, capabilities, and tolerances below!

Hot-Rolled Steel

As hot-rolled steel cools, it tends to shrink and form asymmetrically, allowing for more variation in shape and size. For this reason, hot-rolled steel is used in projects where the finished product doesn’t have specific dimensional requirements.

For example, one of the most commonly recognized forms of hot-rolled steel is sheet metal, which is frequently used in creating air ducts and motor vehicles. In these applications, surface finish and proportions don’t need to be precise.

As a result, hot-rolled steel is typically cheaper in price simply because it doesn’t involve any further processing. Since it doesn’t require any reheating, production costs for hot-rolled steel are much lower.

Cold-Finished Steel

That being said, cold-rolled steel needs reheating to further refine its structural properties. In order to achieve more exact dimensions and surface quality, the metal is re-rolled at a lower temperature. This supplemental rolling results in more specified attributes including exterior finish, durability, and dimensional parameters. 

PA Steel, for example, carries a variety of cold-finished bars in a range of grades and finishes for businesses all over the eastern United States. This equipment is used for creating products such as furniture, garages, and home appliances.

Although it’s typically up to 20% more durable than hot-rolled, cold-finished steel is limited to basic square, round, and flat shapes. Despite its improved resistance, the additional processing performed on cold-rolled metals may make it more susceptible to internal stress. Finalized materials need to be stress relieved prior to grinding or cutting to avoid potentially volatile warping or distortion.

Determining the Appropriate Steel Type

Put simply, the last step in the manufacturing process will influence the final product’s application. If tolerance, surface finish, symmetry, straightness, or aesthetics are a key factor in the project’s creation, cold-rolled steel is likely the ideal choice. Conversely, hot-rolled steel can be used for large-scale or low-budget operations that can account for dimensional changes as it cools.

Tolerance Variety

The table below outlines the varying tolerances of hot-rolled vs. cold-finished steel products:

Data source: rapiddirect.com/blog/hot-rolled-vs-cold-rolled-steel

Premium Steel and Pipe Supply From Pennsylvania Steel, Co.

Visit our new and improved website to browse our selection of high-quality products, including several varieties of cold and hot-rolled steel, plus carbon tubing, stainless steel, finished bars, and more. PA Steel Company employs an expert team of industry professionals that are prepared to supply you with the ideal metal for any size project. Browse our locations in Pennsylvania, Richmond, Cleveland, Charlotte, Long Island, and more!

If you’re still having trouble figuring out the ideal steel production process for your project, check out our FAQ page or request a quote online today!

Employee Spotlight: Jonathan Albert

Joseph Dombrowski June 10, 2022

We would like to welcome Jonathan Albert to Pennsylvania Steel. Jonathan has been promoted to General Manager of our York Division. Jonathan has been in the Service Center Industry since 2006 and has held numerous positions, including Business Development, Inside Sales, Manager of Business Operations and Contracts, and Regional Controller. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Clarion University, a master’s degree in Accounting from Mercer University, and earned his MBA from The University of Louisville. Welcome to the team!

Steel Cable

What are the Different Types of Steel?

Joseph Dombrowski March 7, 2022

Since steel is so versatile in its uses, reliable steel companies like Pennsylvania Steel offer various types of steel for the multitude of projects our customers execute. The material’s type is determined by two main factors: the individual amounts of its alloy components (such as carbon and iron) and its production process.

The Four Main Types of Steel

Although there are technically over 3,500 types of steel available on the market with varying physical properties, we’re going to focus on the four primary types of steel:

  • Carbon steel
  • Alloy steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Tool steel

Learning the differences between these will help you understand which is the best for your project and why it’s the best for the job.

pa steel types of metal

Carbon Steel

As the name suggests, carbon steel contains mainly carbon and iron, and a trace of other elements (such as magnesium or chromium). There are three main subcategories of carbon steel which include:

  1. Low Carbon Steels (less than 0.3% carbon) – Most common on the market because it’s relatively inexpensive, easy to form, and highly ductile. Commonly used for pipes, domestic appliances, wires, medical equipment, etc.
  2. Medium Carbon Steels (0.3% – 0.6% carbon) – It’s strong, but it is difficult to form due to low ductility and toughness. Commonly used in machinery parts, cranks, gears, etc.
  3. High Carbon Steels (greater than 0.6% carbon) – Hardest and toughest variety, but is difficult to weld, cut, and form. Commonly used for railways, bars, spring steel, etc.

As we mentioned above, each type of carbon steel offers different levels of strength, ductility, and workability that make them suitable for different applications.

Generally, this type of steel is used in materials such as construction equipment and automotive components. In fact, carbon steel accounts for about 90% of total steel production in the entire industry because it’s inexpensive to produce and durable enough for use in large commercial projects. 

Alloy Steel

The name “alloy steel” suggests a large mix of different elements in addition to the characteristic carbon and iron combination. Examples of common additives are:

  • Magnesium
  • Chromium
  • Nickel
  • Silicon
  • Molybdenum
  • Titanium
  • Copper

The percentages of these elements will determine the appropriate application for the material. Manipulating these proportions changes the steel’s properties, such as heat resistance, hardness, and ductility. Companies often utilize this type of steel to produce commercial equipment like aerospace and aircraft components, transformers, pipelines, and power generators.

Stainless Steel

Steel in this category contains 10-20% chromium, making it incredibly resistant to corrosion and staining. This concentrated chromium coating also makes this material rust-proof. Classified by their microscopic structures, there are three subsets of stainless steel:

TYPE OF STAINLESS STEELGRADEPROPERTIES% ALLOYING ELEMENTSCOMMON USES
Austenitic300non-magnetic and non-heat-treatable18% chromium
8% nickel
<0.8% carbon		kitchen and food processing equipment
Ferritic400magnetic10.5-27% chromium
<0.1% carbon

heat exchangers and furnaces, auto parts
Martensitic400magnetic and heat-treatable
11-17% chromium
<0.4% nickel
<1.2% carbon		cutting tools, dental and surgical equipment

Stainless steel is a highly versatile material due to its notable resistance to heat and discoloration. Its unique resilience makes it the best type of steel for a number of industries, ranging from culinary and catering to standard machinery and cars. Check out our guide on how to weld stainless steel to help your next project.

Tool Steel

A combination of carbon and alloy steel, tool steel generally offers high hardness and abrasion resistance. These features, along with its superior ability to retain its shape, make it the ideal material for composing various tools. Surgical equipment, drills, dyes, bits, molds, and punches are examples of instruments made using tool steel.

Manufacturing quality tools requires quality steel components. PA Steel produces a number of different tool steels, which consist of carbon and alloy steels. Tool steel offers advanced abrasion resistance and toughness. We stock many different tool steel grades, including:

  • Air Hardening (A-Grades)
  • High-Carbon High-Chromium (D-Grades)
  • Shock Resisting (S-Grades)
  • Mold Quality/Hot Work (H-Grades) 
  • Oil Hardening (O-Grades) 
  • Water Hardening (W-Grades)

To learn more about our tool steel inventory, grades, and their applications, check out our detailed Tool Steel Guide.

Choosing The Best Steel For Your Project

As previously mentioned, the selected steel’s type identifies its key properties, including ductility, hardness, weldability, and more. Naturally, these qualities will determine the applied uses of the chosen metal.

In other words, selecting the wrong metal can prove detrimental to the quality of your project. For example, high alloy or low carbon steels are most effective in extremely cold temperatures because they retain high tensile strength even in frigid conditions. Therefore, residential and commercial structures being built in freezing climates should use these types of metals in their structural designs.

If you’re unsure about what your metal project requires, feel free to contact the specialists at Pennsylvania Steel for further insight into your ideal metal for the job. We can help you confirm your choice and walk you through your potential options for a high-quality result!

Contact PA Steel For a Custom Quote

Regardless of the job you take on, PA Steel offers a wide stock of the different types and grades of steel to help you prepare for your next project. Our knowledgeable staff has years of expertise, so feel free to contact the steel warehouse closest to you with any questions or to receive an estimate. We have steel supply warehouses in Pennsylvania, New York, New England, Virginia (Richmond), North Carolina (Charlotte), and Ohio.

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Sean Wenhold New NC General Manager

Joseph Dombrowski July 12, 2021
Pa Steel would like to congratulate Sean Wenhold on becoming General Manager of our North Carolina and Virginia offices. Sean is an experienced Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the steel distribution and manufacturing industries. We are proud to see Sean advance and grow his already substantial financial, business, and operational management skills and sales knowledge. As of July 6th, 2021, you will find Sean in Pennsylvania Steel Company’s Stanley office in North Carolina. Congratulations to Sean and welcome to North Carolina.
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Employee Spotlight: Melanie Morril

Joseph Dombrowski December 19, 2016

I started at Pennsylvania Steel New England in 2009.  My initial responsibilities included billing, shipping & allocating, and receiving.  Because of these various duties, I was able to learn about Pennsylvania Steel’s products and its operation.

Shortly after that, I was promoted to Office Manager, responsible for accounting, and hiring staff to fulfill the billing, shipping & allocating, and reception positions expanding our PSC New England family.  Eventually, my position also evolved to include HR responsibilities.

As Office Manager, I also have the opportunity to work with Tony Luongo our GM and be involved in many projects ranging with OSHA Safety Manual, IT and DOT.  PSC New England recently obtained its ISO 9001: 2008 certification and am a proud participate in the ISO Core Group and am an Internal Auditor.

I feel very fortunate to work at Pennsylvania Steel Company.  My co-workers at PSC New England are a hardworking, humorous and supportive group, which makes working at Pennsylvania Steel so enjoyable. I am grateful and enthusiastic about being part of this growing company and look forward to the new challenges each day brings.

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Employee Spotlight: Kathleen Esposito

Joseph Dombrowski September 27, 2016

I started my metal career at Davidson Aluminum in 1995.  I was hired for the shipping and receiving department, where I was responsible for shippers and certifications.  I stayed with Davidson until they closed their doors in 1999. I was offered a similar position at Transtar Metals, who had purchased one of the Davidson companies. I stayed with them until they relocated to Connecticut.  Afterwards, I moved on to work for New England Motor Freight, where I gained experience in trucking for a few years.  

In 2006 I received a call from John and Joe from Metal Connections asking me to join their team/family. I had previously worked with both of them at Davidson Aluminum. There, I took on a role in the shipping department. Little by little they taught me the sales end of the metal business.

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It took a while to gather the confidence and knowledge required to be in sales, due to the fact that I had worked primarily in the warehouse. I was surprised by how much I knew about metal and the time and effort it takes to process the material.  Through trial and error, I learned my sales skills, of which I am proud of. 

In 2012, Pennsylvania Steel Company, Inc. purchased Metal Connections. John had spoken to us before he sold the business and explained that by joining a bigger, family owned company, we would have more opportunity and security in the future. I decided to join a bigger team/family which I am happy to be part of.

As the senior sales person in Long Island, I get to be a part of the challenge and opportunity to help build a company that will last a long time. I hope to continue to be able to represent and call Pennsylvania Steel my home for many years.  

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I started my metal career at Davidson Aluminum in 1995.  I was hired for the shipping and receiving department, where I was responsible for shippers and certifications.  I stayed with Davidson until they closed their doors in 1999. I was offered a similar position at Transtar Metals, who had purchased one of the Davidson companies. I stayed with them until they relocated to Connecticut.  Afterwards, I moved on to work for New England Motor Freight, where I gained experience in trucking for a few years.  

In 2006 I received a call from John and Joe from Metal Connections asking me to join their team/family. I had previously worked with both of them at Davidson Aluminum. There, I took on a role in the shipping department. Little by little they taught me the sales end of the metal business. It took a while to gather the confidence and knowledge required to be in sales, due to the fact that I had worked primarily in the warehouse. I was surprised by how much I knew about metal and the time and effort it takes to process the material.  Through trial and error, I learned my sales skills, of which I am proud of. 

In 2012, Pennsylvania Steel Company, Inc. purchased Metal Connections. John had spoken to us before he sold the business and explained that by joining a bigger, family owned company, we would have more opportunity and security in the future. I decided to join a bigger team/family which I am happy to be part of.  As the senior sales person in Long Island, I get to be a part of the challenge and opportunity to help build a company that will last a long time. I hope to continue to be able to represent and call Pennsylvania Steel my home for many years.  

Employee Spotlight: Robert W. Wagner

Joseph Dombrowski June 13, 2016

I  was referred to a job at a family-run business, Bethlehem Aluminum, by my father-in-law Richard Stoudt, where he was also referred by his father-in-law Harvey Schwenger. I joined the Bethlehem Aluminum team in 1988 as a 3rd generation employee! My first position was material handling, forklift operator, and crane operation. I soon began filling orders, fabricating and maintaining equipment which consists of a 12ft shear am aluminum chop saw and a uni-point radial arm saw. My fellow employees began calling me “Doc” as I was the go-to guy when anything required adjustment/repair. Later our company purchased a new saw called a metal saw; a precision cut saw. While operating these machines, I was asked by the president, Bob Burdette, to begin driving trucks for deliveries. I delivered aluminum for 5 years. An advancement became available within the company, one they felt I would be the best candidate, due to my knowledge and experience in the warehouse. I strictly ran the metal saw which happened to be the most valuable saw in the plant.

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In 2004 I recommended that the company hire my son, Robert N. Wagner and Robbie became the 4th generation in my family to work for Bethlehem Aluminum.

In 2007 Pennsylvania Steel, another family owned company, bought Bethlehem Aluminum. PA Steel retained all employees, and also purchased 4 other companies selling various metal products. At our location, we began stocking not only aluminum, but also steel products. Very soon we outgrew our facility on busy Hamilton St in Allentown, and we relocated to Whitehall, PA. In our new location, we upgraded to a larger metal saw, and I was the chief operator. After 28 years everyone still calls me Doc and I am proud to call Pennsylvania Steel my home and employer.

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Gary Hoadley, Warehouseman

Joseph Dombrowski April 7, 2016

I started at Pennsylvania Steel Company in June of 1995 after having worked in the restaurant business for 7-1/2 years.  I came to the company with no prior knowledge of steel, or the industry.

I began working in the warehouse pulling orders and loading/unloading trucks as well as learning how to operate the saws.  Within 2 years. I became 2nd Shift Supervisor, a position that I held for 5 years. A spot opened up on the day shift for me and shortly thereafter I was made Day Shift Supervisor, which I held for nearly 13 years.  During that time, I worked in sales for a short while, where I decided I was best suited for the warehouse. Also, throughout this time, I held a part-time position in the Operations Department.

I am currently an ISO Auditor for the Bensalem branch and have recently starting driving and making deliveries while maintaining my position in the warehouse.

When I started working at PA Steel we were a 1 branch, 4 truck company. I have enjoyed watching Pennsylvania Steel’s expansion throughout the years to become the company that it is today. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us.

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Tammy Poff, Inside Sales

Joseph Dombrowski March 9, 2016
Hi! My name is Tammy Poff and I started with Lucas Metals in 1987. My first job with Lucas was in a clerical capacity. I did a little bit of everything even sales when no one else was around. When Pennsylvania Steel bought Lucas Metals in 1997, my new boss, Lee Kushman decided I should move on to the sales department. I agreed and have spent almost 20 years in inside sales. I love my customers and have a great relationship with them. Sometimes they know me better than my family. I have a full personal life with two grown children Andrea and Ryan who now have children of their own. The role of mother and grandmother is important to me. I enjoy every minute of watching my kids and grandkids enjoy their lives and assisting where I can. I’m very happy with the balance and success I have achieved in my life both at work and at home. I’m grateful for the opportunity that Pennsylvania Steel has provided and the wonderful life I have as a result. I wish everyone in the company the good fortune I have had from a company that rewards hard work and a diligent effort. Thank you to my superiors for having faith in me and to my co-workers for being such great people to be around. My view is that our sales team is the best.
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PENNSYLVANIA STEEL ACQUIRES NIVERT METAL SUPPLY

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