Steel and Pipes, Inc.

Steel and Pipes, Inc. has over 250,000 sf. of warehouse space.

Founded in 1979, Steel and Pipes, Inc. Has a long and successful history of serving the industrial steel market in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In fact, in a survey which appeared in Caribbean Business Newspaper, Steel and Pipes, Inc. was ranked the largest locally-owned industrial supplier distributor in Puerto Rico.

Company Milestone

• 1974 – Mr. Felipe Vidal Cos started to work at Puerto Rico Iron Works (at that time the island leading structural steel company) as an Outside Salesman
• 1978 – Mr. Vidal Cos was appointed Vice President of Puerto Rico Iron Works at age 29
• 1979 – Steel and Pipes, Inc. was founded by Mr. Felipe Vidal Cos at its current main location – Caguas
• 1984 – Second Store opened (Manatí Store)
• 1989 – Acquisition of hardware store and realty in southeast area (Guayama Branch)
• 1990 – Structural Steel Fabrication Division started and made $1.7 million in sales that year
• 1996 – Acquisition of Riteway Ornamental Products (Puerto Rico Operations) with this transaction S&P launches the ornamental iron division
• 2001 – In January, former PNP (Partido Nuevo Progresista) President, Dr. Carlos I. Pesquera, joined Steel and Pipes as the company’s President
• 2001 – Structural Steel Fabrication shops which occupied 20,000 sq. feet building behind main offices moves to the newly built facilities with an investment of $5 million dollars. The new structural steel fabrication shops area is 85,000 sq. feet. (Humacao Fabrication Shops – S.P. Fabricators, Inc.)
• 2001 – Sales of industrial products division reach $19 million dollars and structural steel fabrication division $12.5 million dollars
• 2002 – Acquisition of Riteway Ornamental Products (Florida operations). With this transaction, a new company is formed in the state of Florida with the name of: Orange Steel and Industrial Supplies
• 2002 – In May, S&P obtains the distribution rights for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean of raw material of PVC from Country Estate Fence and starts fabrication on 10,000 sq. ft warehouse of PVC Fencing Products. 2nd year sales reach $975,000
• 2004 – On second year of operations, Orange Steel in Florida reaches $6 million dollars in sales
• 2004 – With an investment of $4.6 million dollars the newly built 72,000 sq. feet distribution center in Caguas for steel is finished. This facilitating the distribution for the new branches to follow.
• 2005 – By this year, the Vidal Family owns and operates seven stores in Puerto Rico under the Steel and Pipes Company, the biggest fabrication shops in Puerto Rico and one company in Florida. Combined sales of $58 million dollars a year
• 2005 – In July, the Structural Steel Fabrication division is sold (known as S.P. Fabrications, Inc.)
• 2005 – In July, with the sale of its sister company (S.P. Fabricators, Inc.), Steel and Pipes plans a five (5) year growth plan into segments related to the Retail Industrial and Construction Industry. An important aspect of these plans was the opening of new stores on the island
• 2005 – In August, Steel and Pipes targets the welding products and industrial gases market in Puerto Rico. Plans are made to start on January 2006
• 2006 – In January, welding products division opens. Manufacturers such as: Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Victor, among others are carried and sold at our seven stores
• 2006 – In December, store #7 opens in Central East (Las Piedras) with an investment of $500 thousand dollars between inventory and property remodeling.
• 2006 – Welding products division reaches $1.9 million dollars in sales on its first year and without the selling of gases
• 2007 – In February, store #8 opens in the northwest (Quebradillas) with an investment of $1.5 million between realty and inventory.
• 2007 – Industrial gases division started. Under this division oxygen, acetylene, nitrogen, helium among other gases are sold to customers
• 2007 – In order to fulfill customer’s requests, the company obtains for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean the Red D Arc distributorship of welding rentals. At the end of 2007, rentals were $475,000
• 2009 – S&P starts selling and distributing Rebar in our market. First year sales reach 2.4 million dollars
• 2009 – In February, our ninth store opens in Ponce. First year sales reach 3.0 million dollars
• 2009 – In June, our tenth store opens in Río Grande.
• 2010 – In March, S&P acquires the distribution for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean of the Richards & Wilcox and Chamberlain garage doors and operators. With this product line, S&P sells and distributes to the garage door technicians and installers in Puerto Rico
2010 – In July, S&P starts bidding again after a 5 year hiatus, on Structural Steel Fabrication and Erections. In only the first year, invoiced sales on that product line were $3.9 million dollars
• 2011 – In January, Construction of the new Fabrication Shops at Caguas begin. 35,000 sq. ft of fabrication space
• 2011 – After an extensive 6 month market survey, our sister company “Refricool” opens, our refrigeration division. The company distributes LG and QUÜL Air Conditioners units. During the first six months of operations sales reach $500,000.00
• 2011 – In June, our eleventh store opens at Guaynabo.
• 2010- The Rewards Program towards purchases, available only to members of our Iron Workers Club starts.
• 2011- The Refrigeration Technician Club is created for all the A/C related customers.
• 2012 – Refricool expands its operations and opens it 6th store.
• 2012 – Our 2nd product showcase at the Convention Center of Puerto Rico. More than 40,000 square feet of area for exhibitors.
• 2012- in February the Guaynabo Store is closed.
• 2014- in February , our 11th store -Bayamon SUR- is opened ( 2nd store in Bayamon City)
• 2014- in June , our 12th store-Cayey – is opened
• 2014- July- Acquisition of Rebar Fabrication Facility formerly known as Mateco is finalized ( A 35 year old company). S&P creates the new Rebar Fabrication Division on the same premises located in Toa Baja. Fabrication Capacity of 2,600 Metric Tons.
• 2015- June- Steel and Pipes of Florida, LLC. is created , and starts with a Distribution Center for the sale of all of our products at a Wholesale level. Distribution center has 50,000 Sq. Ft. and is located in Miami, Florida.