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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.
Expanded metal sizing

Your Guide to Expanded Metal Sizing

Joseph Dombrowski July 10, 2023

Stainless steel expanded metal grating is commonly used for flooring, shelving, security screens, and barriers. Expanded metal grating is also considered one of the most economical materials for industrial, architectural, and commercial applications.

Pennsylvania Steel Co. offers a variety of stainless steel expanded metal and grating products. We can walk you through our expanded metal sizes and help you quickly and easily identify your project’s ideal expanded metal sizing.  

What Are the Types of Expanded Metal?

Common types of expanded metal include: 

1. Standard

Available in many gauges and open sizes, standard expanded metal features strands and bonds set at the same angle. This boosts the metal’s power and rigidity. At the same time, it improves the metal’s airflow.

2. Flattened

Flattened expanded metal is produced through cold rolling. It’s a great option if you want a smooth surface.

3. Hexagonal

Air, light, fire, sound, and liquid can seamlessly move through hexagonal expanded metal. At the same time, the hexagonal shape strengthens the metal.

4. Architectural

Architectural expanded metal features a diamond design with distinct aesthetic elements. For a terrific mix of style and function, go with architectural expanded metal.  

5. Micro 

This consists of a light gauge metal with small holes. It can also have flattened, regular, hexagonal, or square openings.

How to Measure Expanded Metal 

Measuring expanded metal grating

To measure expanded metal, you first need to consider whether the metal is raised or flattened.

In its original form, expanded metal has a raised appearance in which angular strands incline from the plane of the sheet. You’ll want to account for the following measurements: 

  • Longway Pitch: Horizontal measurement from center to center based on the size of the tool used during production
  • Shortway Pitch: Vertical measurement from center to center based on the expansion that occurs during production
  • Strand Width: Measurement of the width of the angular strand that forms during production
  • Strand Thickness: Measurement of expanded metal thickness

With flattened expanded metal, measure the longway and shortway aperture in addition to strand width and thickness. Longway aperture refers to the horizontal measurement from one internal aperture point to another. Shortway aperture is the vertical measurement from one internal aperture point to another.

What Do Expanded Metal Numbers Mean?

Expanded metal numbers denote the metal’s dimension and gauge. The first number indicates the metal’s nominal dimension or short way of design (SWOD), and the second number typically indicates the metal’s gauge or weight per 100 square feet.

How Do You Read Expanded Metal Sizes?

An expanded metal size chart is generally used to read expanded metal sizes. This chart includes the following columns:

  • Style: Based on a measurement of the edge of the expanded metal to the straight edge and may include a letter at the beginning to denote the material (for example: “A” for aluminum)
  • Weight: Measured in pounds per square foot
  • Opening Size (in inches): Denotes the metal’s SWOD and long way of design (the diagonal length of the long diamond)
  • Strand Size (in inches): Indicates the strand’s width and thickness
  • Approximate Open Area %: Represents the approximate area of an irregular region surrounded by curves

If you have more questions about expanded metal dimensions, the experienced team at PA Steel is happy to help. 

Pennsylvania Steel Company Is Here for Your Metal Needs 

We own and operate regional steel warehouses in Bensalem, Whitehall, and York, Pennsylvania, along with Richmond, Charlotte, New England, Long Island, Cleveland and many other locations across the northeast. If you want expanded metal services, we’ve got you covered.

For more information about our expanded metal services or to request an expanded metal project quote, please get in touch with us today.

waterjet method of cutting through steel

How to Cut Steel Plate

Joseph Dombrowski March 13, 2023

Cutting through a material as strong as plate steel requires specialized machinery and training. The appropriate technique for a job depends on the project’s budget, specifications, and production schedule. The pros at Pennsylvania Steel Co. prioritize these specific needs to ensure only high-quality results and 100% customer satisfaction. In this guide, they cover the primary methods and safety tips to know when planning how to cut steel plate.

4 Main Methods for Cutting Steel Plate 

Those wondering how to cut steel plate and achieve the desired result while avoiding injury must consider the significant differences between each technique. Most fabricators cut steel plates using one of four primary methods:

1. Oxy Fuel Flame Cutting

  • Process: cuts through plate using an oxygen-fueled flame
  • Primary Function: for cutting ferrous materials as little as ¼ inch thick, but typically sheets greater than 1 inch thick
  • Quality of Cut: generates some slag, but the surface is relatively smooth

2. Plasma Cutting

  • Process: a conductive stream of heated gas produced by a plasma torch cuts the plate 
  • Primary Function: for cutting thinner sheets anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches
  • Quality of Cut: results in smooth edges when cutting within the recommended range

3. Laser Cutting

  • Process: a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen creates a fine laser beam that cuts through the metal plate
  • Primary Function: usually for processing plates less than 1 inch thick
  • Quality of Cut: capable of precise, square edges and small holes

4. Waterjet Cutting

  • Process: uses a high-pressure stream of water to cut through metal plates
  • Primary Function: for processing thicker metal plates up to 6-8 inches thick
  • Quality of Cut: produces a smooth and accurate edge

four main methods of cutting steel comparison chart infographic

How to Choose the Best Way to Cut Steel

Most sheet steel and plate steel requires a specific process for safe and effective cutting. So what is the best way to cut steel materials for your project?

Identifying the Proper Technique for Cutting Steel

As we know, manufacturers supply different steel varieties with varying properties. These attributes include thickness, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, grade, and reflection. Makers must consider the following properties when determining how to cut through steel for their project:

Attributes to Consider 

  • Thickness – How thick or thin is the steel plate material? Oxy fuel flame cutting can process plates up to 12 inches in thickness. Conversely, laser cutting is the typical choice for very thin plates.
  • Precision – How precise of a cut is needed? Waterjet cutting results in a precise edge, while laser cutting is effective for creating small holes.
  • Edge Quality – How clean does the edge need to be? Many steel plates require secondary processing for refining corners and edges. Plasma or laser cutting usually produces clean edges that don’t require further processing.
  • Material Properties – How corrosive, conductive, or reflective is the plate you’re cutting? For example, most manufacturers prefer plasma cutting for more corrosion-resistant materials, and laser cutting can be challenging with reflective materials.

Expert Tips for How to Cut Metal Safely

Properly and safely cutting steel plates requires adequate preparation and methodology. Safety is always the priority despite the chosen cutting method. Below, Pennsylvania Steel Company offers a few tips for how to cut steel responsibly:

Remember PPE.

Gloves, goggles, masks, and headgear are just a few basic examples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary when cutting steel and other metal materials. Regardless of the selected cutting method, every project requires adequate PPE free of holes or tears.

Practice proper tool etiquette and safety.

Tools make our jobs more manageable, but only when utilized properly. Only use tools for which you’ve received training in full, and ask for assistance from a superior when needed. Furthermore, sufficiently maintain tools and replace or repair components when necessary.

Keep the work area clear.

Avoid tripping and other safety hazards by clearing the immediate work area of any clutter. Keeping tools and materials organized and out of the way ensures a productive workspace for everyone.

pennsylvania steel company supplies metal plates and steel sheeting east coast usa

Turn to Pennsylvania Steel Company for Steel Plate Supply & Processing 

After browsing the various cutting steel plate methods, weigh which techniques are most appropriate for your project’s scope. Generally, the best way to cut steel is the safest method. Our experienced metal distributors employ decades of industry knowledge to ensure our customers receive only premium metal supplies and services. 

From North Carolina to New York, Pennsylvania Steel Company provides top-notch metals to fabricators and manufacturers at our New England/New York, Pennsylvania, the Southeast, and Ohio steel warehouses. Contact the sheet plate distributors at Pennsylvania Steel Company today for fast delivery options for your steel plate project.

variety steel alloy bars for metal processing

Differences Between Alloy and Carbon Steel

Joseph Dombrowski January 17, 2023

The vast differences between metal types make the variety you use for a project significant. For example, steel skyscraper construction metals require much more strength than the delicate metals used in producing jewelry.

How can fabricators accurately determine the appropriate steel type? Alloy steel and carbon steel possess specific properties and capabilities to function in different roles. Pennsylvania Steel Co. specializes in steel processing techniques and how to pick a suitable metal for the job. We provide top-quality metals for various East Coast locations with warehouses in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, the Southeast, and Ohio. Below, we outline the significant characteristic differences between alloy steel and carbon steel.

What is Alloy Steel?

The phrase “alloy steel” is a blanket term to describe the resulting product from mixing metal elements. Common alloying elements include but are not limited to:

  • Silicon
  • Chromium
  • Boron
  • Nickel
  • Aluminum
  • Cobalt
  • Tungsten

The addition of particular alloys affects the steel’s hardness, toughness, wear resistance, heat resistance, and tensile strength.

Types of Alloy Steel

Varying combinations of alloy metals result in different physical properties and characteristics. These combinations fall into one of two general categories:

  • High-Alloy Steel: contains a high percentage of other alloying elements (most commonly: stainless steel, which is approximately 12% chromium)
  • Low-Alloy Steel: contains a lower percentage (1%-5%) of alloying elements, making it generally less costly to use

Uses & Applications

Metalworkers use alloy steel as a manufacturing material in assorted industries, including mining, aerospace, automotive, and railroads. Industrial demand for alloy steel is high, as you can customize its alloying features for diverse structural needs. Its machinability makes it a desirable material for transportation infrastructure and other construction purposes.

What is Carbon Steel?

Put simply, carbon steel is an alloy (mixture) of carbon and iron. The high amount of carbon (ranging from 0.25%-1.25%) in this type of steel makes it incredibly durable and versatile, depending on the specific percentage of carbon.

Types of Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is prevalent and diverse in its applications. In general, carbon steel falls into one of three categories:

  • Low-Carbon Steel (>0.25%): the most widely-used variety of carbon steel that is particularly ductile and welds easily
  • Medium-Carbon Steel (0.25%-0.6%): slightly stronger due to higher manganese concentration (0.6%-1.65%)
  • High-Carbon Steel (0.6%-1.25%): high wear resistance and very low elasticity, with a manganese concentration ranging from 0.3%-0.9%

Typically, this type of steel becomes more challenging to work with as the carbon percentage increases. For this reason, high-carbon steel often has more specialized applications, including springs, wires, and knives.

Uses & Applications

Like alloy steel, carbon steel is useful in numerous industries, especially in the chemical, oil, and gas sectors. Carbon steel’s advanced, versatile strength makes it ideal for pipes, pressure vessels, cutting tools, and even weaponry.

metal processing steel alloys showing heat resistance

Comparing Alloy Steel vs. Carbon Steel

Is carbon steel strong? Is alloy steel stronger than high-carbon steel? These answers depend on what you mean by “strong.” The list of attributes below expands on specific comparisons between steel types, including overall strength.

Chemical Composition

As previously mentioned, carbon steel contains mainly two elements: carbon and iron. Any other present alloys are usually regarded as impurities. On the other hand, alloying of additional components (manganese, nickel, chromium, etc.) in alloy steel alters the chemical properties and limits of the resulting metal.

Strength

Overall, fabricators regard carbon steel as having higher strength than alloy steel. In other words, carbon steel can withstand significant pressure but doesn’t bend easily. Alloying metal variations adjust tensile strength.

Hardness

Carbon steel owes its superior strength to being harder than alloy steel. However, higher carbon content decreases ductility and weldability, making this steel type slightly more challenging to work with.

Melting Point

In general, alloy steel’s additional elements give it a higher melting point than carbon steel.

Malleability

Steel becomes less malleable as you add more alloying metals. Therefore, the lack of variation in carbon steel’s composition allows for better malleability than steel alloys.

Weldability

Alloy steel is difficult to weld and prone to cracking, giving carbon steel higher weldability. However, the prior allows for adjustment of certain alloying elements to help streamline heat treatment.

Corrosion Resistance

Alloy steels have higher corrosion resistance than carbon steel, meaning they deteriorate (rust) at a slower rate.

Cost

The price of carbon steel varies and depends on the metal’s carbon content. As the carbon percentage increases, so does the price. Additionally, alloy steel is often costly due to varying amounts of alloying elements.

Quality Alloy and Carbon Steel from Pennsylvania Steel Co.

Only premium metal materials can craft superior construction projects. The experts at Pennsylvania Steel proudly supply leading manufacturers in numerous sectors throughout the U.S., from Charlotte, NC to our Cleveland steel warehouses. If you need alloy or carbon steel for your next project, request a quote from the Pennsylvania Steel Company Inc. team today.

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.

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. Contact our Pennsylvania, New York, New England, Virginia (Richmond), North Carolina (Charlotte), and Ohio steel supply warehouses.

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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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aluminium coil
rebar-stacked-facing-forward

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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