About Great Lakes Specialty Metals
Great Lakes Specialty Metals is an AS9100-certified specialty metals distributor based in St. Charles, Illinois. Since 2004, we have supplied stainless steel, aluminum, nickel alloys, brass, copper alloys, and titanium to manufacturers, fabricators, and industrial buyers across Chicagoland, southern Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana. What started as a stainless steel bar operation has grown into a full-service metals service center with in-house processing, a dedicated delivery fleet, and custom supply programs built for industrial purchasing environments.
Why Choose Great Lakes Specialty Metals
When sourcing specialty metals, the supplier behind the material matters as much as the spec. Below is what distinguishes us in the Midwest metals distribution market.
ISO 9001-Certified Since 2007
We earned ISO 9001 certification in 2007 and have maintained it continuously. Our quality system covers material sourcing, processing operations, and order fulfillment. For buyers in aerospace, defense, food processing, medical device manufacturing, and other compliance-sensitive industries, our recent certification to AS9100 provides a documented quality baseline you can rely on and reference in your own supplier qualifications.
Expanded Inventory Through American Stainless Corporation
As part of American Stainless Corporation, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, we can reach beyond our own stock when a project calls for an uncommon grade, size, or alloy. That network access reduces the number of supplier relationships you need to maintain for specialty and hard-to-find materials.
21 Years Serving the Midwest
Founded in 2004 as a stainless steel bar supplier, we have spent more than two decades building relationships with manufacturers and fabricators across Illinois and the surrounding region. Our team understands the material requirements, lead time pressures, and budget constraints that industrial buyers work with every day.
Value Added Services
We supply raw stock and we process it. Our in-house capabilities reduce the steps between receiving material and putting it to work on your production floor.
In-House Saw Cutting
Our saws handle round bars up to 20 inches in diameter. We cut to your specified lengths for individual orders and production runs, reducing the handling and waste associated with receiving full-length stock.
Cut-to-Size and Fabrication Services
Beyond saw cutting, we offer the following services through trusted partners:
- Plasma cutting and waterjet cutting for plate and sheet
- Sheet metal shearing
- Turning and grinding for dimensional finishing
- Heat treating
Delivery and Same-Day Will-Call
Our dedicated fleet runs daily delivery routes to Chicago, southern Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana. Same-day will-call orders for in-stock material are typically ready within hours at our St. Charles facility. Next-day stock delivery is available in select areas. Contact us to confirm coverage for your location.
Custom Supply Programs for Industrial Buyers
High-volume buyers and long-term procurement environments benefit from structured supply arrangements. We offer the following programs for qualified accounts:
- Specialized release programs for scheduled pull quantities against a standing order
- Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) to reduce your carrying costs and reorder overhead
- Price management agreements to protect your budget against market volatility
- Blanket purchase programs for extended supply commitments
- Long-term contracts for consistent, planned material supply
These programs are structured around your production cycle and volume requirements. Reach out to our team to discuss what makes sense for your operation.
Experts You Can Trust
Partner with Great Lakes Specialty Metals and discover the difference that our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction can make for your business. Contact us today to explore our products, services, and how we can support your metal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of metals does Great Lakes Specialty Metals stock?
We supply stainless steel, aluminum, nickel alloys, brass, copper alloys, and titanium. Available shapes include round bars, flat bars, hexagon bars, square bars, angles, sheet and plate, tubing, and pipe. If a specific grade or shape is not in our standard inventory, we can often source it through our parent company, American Stainless Corporation, which extends our reach into a broader range of specialty and exotic alloys.
What geographic areas does Great Lakes Specialty Metals serve?
Our primary service area covers the Chicagoland region, southern Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana. We operate a fleet running daily delivery routes to these areas. Will-call orders are available same-day from our facility in St. Charles, Illinois – typically ready within hours for in-stock material. Next-day delivery is available in select locations. Contact us to confirm coverage for your delivery address.
What cutting and processing services do you offer?
In-house services include saw cutting for round bars up to 20 inches in diameter. Other services offered through our partners are plasma cutting, waterjet cutting, sheet metal shearing, turning, grinding, and heat treating. Cut-to-size work is available across our material types and shapes. Contact us with your specifications and we will confirm lead time and availability.
Do you offer vendor-managed inventory or blanket purchase programs?
Yes. We work with industrial buyers on structured supply programs, including vendor-managed inventory, blanket purchase agreements, price management contracts, and specialized release programs. These arrangements are designed to reduce your carrying costs and simplify procurement for recurring material needs. Contact our team to discuss the program structure that fits your operation.
Quick Metal Conversion Tool
Easily convert steel measurements and estimate weight with our Conversion & Weight Calculator.
View Our Products
At Great Lakes Specialty Metals, we pride ourselves in providing both high quality products and excellent service. We opened our doors in 2004 with one goal in mind: to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations
saw cutting, cut to size plate, sheared to size sheet and more
We Offer a Variety of Quality Production Cutting Services
Our Metal Shapes
In our extensive inventory we carry rounds, flats, hexes, squares, angles (equal and unequal leg), sheet (both 2B and #4 polished), pipe, plate and all varieties of tubing (round, square and rectangular). If not in stock, we can locate it for you.
Industries Served
We have 9 trucks and offer delivery to the Chicagoland area, Wisconsin and the Midwest region. Material that is in stock from either warehouse can be pulled and delivered the next day. Will calls can be ready the same day the order is placed and usually within a few hours. In special situations delivery may even be possible the same day the order is placed.