ABOUT US

Remarkable Past Leads to Exciting Future

Allen Applegate founded Viking Materials in his Minneapolis home in 1972 and developed it into a major league metals supplier to the Upper Midwest. Applegate learned early on that service and solving customers problems were the keys to success.

As evidenced by our success in the aluminum and stainless markets, this entrepreneurial company continues to evolve with our customers needs.

Viking Materials Mile Markers

1972 – Founded by Allen Applegate

1975 – Opened Chicago sales office

1979 – Acquired Caine Steel, Minneapolis

1982 – Purchased Minneapolis (New Hope) warehouse and merged Caine Steel into Viking Materials

1985 – Opened Chicago facility at Schiller Park

1990 – Moved to current facility in Minneapolis

1991 – Moved Chicago operations to new, larger quarters in Franklin Park

1999 – Expanded Minneapolis facility and added Red Bud Blanking Line

2001 – Acquired by Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

2002 – Added processing of stainless steel and aluminum

2005 – Stainless/aluminum accounted for 10.3% of sales (forecast at 18+% in 2006)