Made in America, Made at Marlin Steel

Marlin Steel coil on leveler, about to be uncoiled and cut

Marlin Steel stainless uncoiled

The making of sheet metal containers for material handling begins, naturally, with the sheet metal. We bought 304-grade stainless steel from BMG Metals, a third-generation supplier of carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel with an office in the Baltimore area. The 18,000-pound coil was sent to Maryland Metals Processing Inc. in Middle River, a few miles from our Baltimore factory.

The coil was unrolled, leveled and cut into skids of 4-by-8 foot sheets that we'll cut, weld and shape into a wide range of material handling solutions. The pros at Maryland Metals made the process of preparing the sheet metal one morning this week look easier than it is. Those coils sliced like American cheese.