Friedman Industries Makes Strategic Leap with Century Metals Acquisition

Friedman Industries has sealed a significant all-cash deal to acquire Century Metals and Supplies, Inc., a Miami-based steel and materials distributor, marking a transformative expansion into southeastern U.S. and Latin American markets. The move signals the company’s commitment to strengthening its competitive position through geographic diversification and enhanced product capabilities.

Deal Structure and Asset Acquisition

The transaction encompasses Century Metals’ owned facilities in Miami along with leased distribution and warehouse operations in Orlando and Tampa, Florida. Beyond real estate, Friedman Industries gains processing equipment, working capital, and the established operations of a company that has maintained average annual revenues of approximately $111.0 million over the past three fiscal years. Century Metals will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, preserving its brand identity and management continuity under President Misael Rosario’s leadership.

Strategic Market Penetration

This acquisition represents a calculated move for Friedman Industries to establish deeper footholds in high-growth regional markets. By integrating Century Metals’ operational footprint, the company gains immediate access to critical customer bases in the southeastern corridor and Latin American regions—areas with rising demand from residential construction and corrosion-resistant materials sectors.

The combined entity will now span seven manufacturing locations: Hickman, Arkansas; Decatur, Alabama; East Chicago, Indiana; Granite City, Illinois; Sinton, Texas; Miami, Florida; and Lone Star, Texas. This geographic distribution strengthens Friedman Industries’ ability to serve diverse customer segments with localized responsiveness.

Product Portfolio Enhancement

The acquisition delivers substantial product diversification benefits. Friedman Industries gains coil slitting capabilities through Century Metals’ Miami operations and expands its portfolio to include cold-rolled, coated, and stainless steel products, alongside non-ferrous materials such as aluminum, copper, and brass. These additions complement the company’s existing flat-roll and tubular product segments, enabling Friedman Industries to offer more comprehensive solutions to customers.

The Miami facility operates corrective leveling cut-to-length lines and slitting equipment, capabilities that enhance Friedman Industries’ processing infrastructure while reducing operational gaps in the supply chain.

Leadership Perspective on Growth

Michael Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Friedman Industries, positioned the deal as a natural evolution of the company’s expansion strategy: “The acquisition strengthens our market position and opens doors to customer segments we couldn’t efficiently serve before. Century Metals brings both operational excellence and a respected reputation built over 37 years—assets we’re committed to preserving and enhancing.”

Misael Rosario echoed the collaborative vision: “This partnership creates growth opportunities for our people, customers, and suppliers while maintaining the operational independence that has defined our success.”

Financial Impact and Timeline

The purchase is anticipated to be immediately accretive to earnings, meaning it will contribute positively to Friedman Industries’ financial performance from the outset. Montrose Advisors provided financial advisory services, while Norton Rose Fulbright handled legal representation for Friedman Industries throughout the transaction process.

Strategic Rationale

Beyond immediate financial benefits, the acquisition positions Friedman Industries to capture emerging demand in residential construction markets and specialized corrosion-resistant applications. The southeastern U.S. region, combined with growing Latin American markets, offers expansion potential amid broader industry consolidation trends. By acquiring an established player rather than building capabilities organically, Friedman Industries accelerates its market entry while acquiring operational expertise and established customer relationships worth substantially more than greenfield development would cost.