American Metal is a national grass-roots initiative supporting the domestic steel industry and all the hard workers whose livelihoods depend on it. The initiative originated from Zekelman Industries, the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and a leader in modular construction innovations. Within weeks of its launch in January 2018, American Metal had inspired steelworkers across the country to get involved.
Your goals might not directly involve steel, but you probably couldn’t reach them without it. Steel lifts us up, supports us, holds us together and carries us forward. That’s why Zekelman Industries launched the American Metal grass-roots initiative supporting our steel industry.
Steel Strength
- 1,000x stronger than iron
- 2.5x denser than aluminum
- 100% recyclable without losing strength
- 3,500+ grades of steel
- 3x longer roof life vs. traditional materials
How Steel Is Used
- 75% of major appliances are made of steel
- 25% of a computer is steel
- 1,500+ food items come in steel cans
- 1.5x more steel will be used by 2050
- 51% used in buildings and infrastructure
The History of Steel in America
Steel has long played a vital role in American history, strengthening our economy across generations. In 2018, a 25% steel import tariff reignited domestic production, reduced imports, and led to new investment and job growth.
- 1850s – Early mass steel production
- 1884 – Steel used in first skyscraper (Chicago)
- 1901 – U.S. Steel Corporation founded
- 1973 – Peak of domestic steel production
- 1990s – Steel firms drop from Dow Jones
- 2018 – Tariff sparks renewed industry growth