Ranger Steel, the largest independent steel plate distributor in the U.S., has opened its fourth distribution center in the Los Angeles Basin to serve the west coast and northwestern states. Located in the Inland Empire cities of Fontana and Bloomington, Calif., the five-acre center was chosen for its rail facilities and access to major highways.

“For many years, Ranger has maintained a customer base in the west and northwestern states,” said Ranger Steel President Ron Whitley. “The amount of steel we’ve shipped to these customers has been dependent on market conditions and steel availability. Having inventory on the ground in California puts steel closer to our customers, which helps us serve them better. That’s always our goal.”

Ranger’s new California facility initially will stock 10,000-15,000 tons of steel plate. Dalton Logistical Services, in a joint venture with Ancon Transportation, is handling operations and transportation services for Ranger at the new center. The company plans to open its own California sales office within the year.

“With continual restrictions on incoming import steel into the U.S. and the West Coast, a void has developed for dependable on-ground plate supply,” said Whitley. “Maintaining a stock distribution center in California will enhance this supply, which is especially needed to meet the ongoing population growth and construction infrastructure demands on the west coast and in numerous western states.”

Founded in 1958, Houston-based Ranger Steel is the largest privately owned steel plate distributor in the U.S. and maintains distribution centers at the Port of Houston, New Orleans and Tulsa, Okla.

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