O'Neal Industries
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Metals distribution |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder | Kirkman O'Neal |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia |
| Products | Aluminium, alloy, hot-rolled steel, cold-finished steel, stainless steel products |
Number of employees | 90 locations (not employees) |
O'Neal Industries, Inc. is a metals distribution firm headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Established in 1921, it manages 90 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. The company provides a range of materials including aluminium, alloy, hot-rolled, cold-finished, and stainless steel products to clients such as job shops, original equipment manufacturers (OEM), heavy industry sectors, and aerospace companies. In 2024, Forbes placed O'Neal Industries as the 171st largest privately held enterprise in the United States.
History
The origins of O'Neal Industries trace back to 1921 when Kirkman O'Neal founded Southern Steel Works, a steel fabrication business located in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm experienced steady growth and in 1935 launched one of the earliest metal service centers in the southern United States. The company adopted the name O'Neal Steel in 1956 and expanded its footprint by opening new facilities and acquiring businesses in cities such as Jackson, Dallas, and Pittsburgh. By 1969, it transitioned fully into the metal service center sector by discontinuing its fabrication operations. A significant growth milestone was achieved in 1997 with the purchase of Metalwest, marking its first subsidiary operating independently.
During the early 2000s, O'Neal Industries pursued rapid expansion through acquisitions including Aerodyne Alloys (2004), Lecco Steel and TW Metals (2005), as well as AIM International and Supply Dynamics (2006). The acquisition of TW Metals was especially critical as it established O'Neal’s operations within European and Asian markets. Following this period, additional smaller acquisitions were completed. In 2008, the company restructured to form O'Neal Industries as a holding entity overseeing its subsidiaries. Several service centers were integrated under the longstanding O'Neal Steel brand.
Philanthropy
In 2018, O'Neal Industries along with its shareholders contributed $30 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to advance cancer research initiatives. This donation represented the largest single gift ever received by the university. In recognition of this support, the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB bears the company's name.