aluminum supply chain Archives - National Material Company

Strong as Steel — Supply Chain Resilience Matters

jane2025-07-14T20:53:48+00:00July 5th, 2025|News Blog, NMC Media|

Key Takeaways:

A resilient steel-supply chain starts with domestic sourcing, flexible logistics, and value-added services that reduce risk and improve efficiency.
Technology and sustainability play a critical role — real-time tracking, predictive tools, and eco-friendly practices support long-term supply chain success.
National Material Company offers tailored supply chain solutions for OEMs and distributors, combining advanced steel processing with dependable U.S.-based logistics.

The phrase “strong as steel” takes on new meaning in terms of material strength and the resilience of the supply chains that deliver it in today’s volatile global market. For industries reliant on metals like steel and aluminum, disruptions can ripple through operations, causing delays, cost overruns, and lost opportunities. Whether you’re an engineer sourcing materials for a critical project or a purchasing agent securing supplies for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), understanding how to build a resilient steel supply chain is no longer optional, but essential.

The Importance of Supply Chain Resilience in the Metals Industry

Why steel supply chains are vulnerable

Today’s steel supply chain is a complex system — spanning raw material extraction, processing, transportation, and delivery. At every stage, risks such as geopolitical shifts, natural disasters, labor shortages, and shifting trade policies can cause costly disruptions. With mandates like Buy America driving demand for domestic steel sourcing, manufacturers are rethinking their approach. Logistics inefficiencies and freight delays often strain even the strongest aluminum supply chain, underscoring the need for regional suppliers and agile distribution strategies.

At the same time, sustainability is reshaping the metals supply and logistics sector. Stakeholders are adopting greener practices — prioritizing carbon transparency, recycling initiatives, and energy-efficient processes — to meet rising regulatory and consumer expectations. In this environment, supply chain resilience depends on more than availability — it demands adaptability and accountability.

Lessons from recent disruptions

The pandemic revealed just how fragile global supply chains can be — clogged ports, factory shutdowns, and indefinite lead times left many scrambling. In response, North American distributors shifted to regional supply chain solutions and diversified their networks. According to the Aluminum Association, companies that adopted localized procurement saw 30% fewer disruptions.

Takeaway? Resilience means adaptability. Businesses that invested in advanced steel processing for OEMs, inventory optimization, and real-time logistics visibility outperformed those relying on outdated systems. Deloitte’s global report on supply chain resilience backs this up — organizations leveraging data and technology are more agile and less vulnerable to disruption.

Strategies to Build a Stronger Metals Supply Chain

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How Transparency Drives Sustainable Supply Chains in the Metals Industry

maria2025-06-04T22:11:31+00:00January 9th, 2025|News Blog|

Key Takeaways Transparency drives sustainability: Transparency builds trust with stakeholders, meets regulatory requirements, and drives sustainability in the metals industry. Leveraging advanced technology: The Greenway Calculator simplifies carbon footprint calculations by focusing on emissions intensity, offering actionable insights for optimizing supply chains. Collaboration for a greener future: NMC’s partnership with Greenway Steel demonstrates the value of collaboration in creating sustainable supply chains in metals.

In today’s global metals industry, sustainable supply chains in metals are no longer a lofty aspiration — they are a business imperative. Regulatory agencies, customers, and financial stakeholders are increasingly pressuring companies to reduce their carbon footprints and decarbonize supply chains. But how do organizations in metals and manufacturing, such as National Material Company (NMC) and Greenway Steel lead the way in this transformation? The answer to sustainable supply chain in metals and manufacturing result from transparency.

Transparency is the cornerstone of sustainable supply chains in metals, enabling companies to accurately track carbon emissions in alignment with the GHG (greenhouse gas) Protocol. This data-driven approach empowers businesses to meet their sustainability goals while ensuring accountability. By openly sharing information about raw material sources, production processes, and logistics, companies can reduce environmental impact and foster trust.

Addressing the Challenge: Transparency and Accountability

Calculating the carbon footprint of a global steel and aluminum supply chain is no small feat. The GHG Protocol requires companies to calculate direct and indirect emissions, known as scopes 1, 2, and 3. Scope 3 emissions, which encompass upstream raw material extraction, downstream transportation, and product use, pose the greatest challenge due to their complexity and breadth. Yet, identifying and managing these emissions is critical — not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to satisfy growing consumer demand for greener, more sustainable products.

As a recognized leader in steel processing and metal supply chain management, National Material Company (NMC) faced this challenge head-on. A key automotive customer sought to understand its entire supply chain’s carbon footprint. Given the global nature of the supply chain — with steel and aluminum parts sourced and processed worldwide — NMC collaborated with Greenway Steel to deliver a transparent, data-driven solution.

Case Study: NMC and Greenway Steel’s Collaborative Approach

NMC and Greenway Steel joined forces to tackle the challenge of calculating a complete value chain carbon footprint. By leveraging Greenway Steel’s proprietary Greenway Calculator and NMC’s expertise in steel processing, they systematically assessed the carbon intensity at each stage of the supply chain.

The first step involved calculating direct emissions, scopes 1 and 2, associated with the energy consumed during metal processing. By determining the energy intensity of their operations, NMC could accurately estimate the emissions generated per unit of steel processed. Using standard emission factors, they could then calculate the direct carbon footprint of their steel production.

Image Attribution: https://greenwaysteel.com/

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