Know how to buy steel online? This detailed steel buying guide will take you through the process of purchasing steel online (and offline). It discusses the best practices to order steel online, things to check, importance of quality checks and more. It also shares tips to buy steel online in India and how you can ensure that you can build a successful long-term relationship with suppliers.
So, you want to buy steel online in India for your construction, engineering, and infrastructure development projects, but are wondering where to start?
Do you contact the top steel manufacturers and procure steel from them directly? Or is it advisable to contact local steel wholesalers and suppliers and purchase from them (for discounted rates and ease of transportation)? Why not try an online steel marketplace? The options are numerous and deciding on the best buying option can be daunting. This online steel buying guide will help you get answers to common questions, share tips and strategies, and help you in making an informed business decision.
Steel buying guide (online) in India
The uses of steel metal are numerous. It is used in automotives (vehicles), home appliances (refrigerators), medical devices, cutlery and utensils, construction projects (buildings, dams, bridges), tools (screws, hinges), and more. Not surprisingly, the growth of the steel sector in India and worldwide has been scaling with new demand for steel across industries.
How (and where) to buy steel online?
The first thing you must understand about purchasing steel online and offline is that there are different kinds of steel metal available in the market and there are multiple ways to procure them.
Some of the reliable ways to buy and sell steel online and offline are:
There are websites, b2b marketplaces and online marketplaces where you can buy and sell steel. These online platforms allow suppliers/sellers to list their products and prices and get direct enquiries from buyers. Though these platforms verify the seller profiles to keep the marketplace authentic and reliable, it is recommended that buyers personally check the credentials and reliability of the seller/supplier.
- Direct manufacturer (and allied wholesalers/distributors):
This is a given. As a steel buyer, looking for the best prices to buy steel online, you can always visit the website of the manufacturer, fill in the enquiry form, negotiate with the sales representative, and buy steel as per your requirements. Buying from top steel manufacturers directly comes with lesser risks though it limits your options of supplier selection.
There are also authorised distributors and wholesalers at the state/city/district level to make the procurement and purchase process more convenient and efficient.
Did you know? There is an alternative way to buy steel at the best prices. Try
There is an alternative way to buy steel at the best prices. Try Tata nexarc to buy steel , a B2B platform that offers you different grades of steel from verified sellers available with easy credit options. You can get the best rates on steel TMT bars, HRC, corrugated sheets, channels and angles, or simply post your requirement and get a call back. No need to compare different supplier rates or terms. One platform for all your steel requirements. Try now.
Buy steel online India: Process and tips
Before you place an online steel order and make a purchase, let us look at some key points to keep in mind.
- There are different types and grades of steel available, each suitable for specific projects. Know your needs before you buy.
- If you have an extensive requirement with delivery timelines spread across months, consider selecting multiple suppliers to minimise risks.
- Procurement process improvement should be a continuous activity. Review existing vendor/supplier relationship and revisit your terms of contract.
- Understand that quality comes for a price. As such, though pricing is important, don’t compromise on the quality of steel purchased for price.
- Online steel rates in India are dynamic and affected by multiple factors including exports, taxes, location, inflation etc. Always check for today’s steel price before initiating discussions with suppliers.
With that, let us take a closer look at the process of buying steel online and some strategic tips to keep the steel buying process hassle-free.
1. Define your requirements
The first step in any buying process is to define your requirements. What type of steel are you looking for? What is the quantity of steel required? What are the delivery schedule timelines? How will the steel be transported to its destination? What’s the project budget? In short, what purpose will be served?
For instance, if you need to build agricultural equipment and machinery like harvesters and tractors, use hot rolled coils (HRC) for its strength and formability. It is also suitable for building railroads, guardrails, and in shipbuilding. It’s malleable and affordable.
Pro tip: It is a smart business practice to have the procurement manager collect requirements from different departments at regular intervals. This will allow procurement to negotiate better prices, delivery dates, and terms with suppliers.
2. Make quality the key deciding factor
Steel has a number of applications. For instance, steel sheets application can be seen across the food industry (stainless steel in making kitchen utensils), construction (cold rolled steel for building steel sheds/garages), agriculture (galvanised steel for greenhouse equipment), pharmaceutical, shipping and other sectors. What matters here is the quality of steel being procured.
As such, when you buy steel online, always ask for certificates from authorities. All steel suppliers/manufacturers will have some of the common certificates which means that the quality of steel they are selling has been quality checked and tested, is safe for use, and adheres to the established standards.
Some of the certifications for steel you can look for are:
- BIS Certification (Bureau of Indian Standards) i.e., the National Standards Body (check IS code for steel)
- ISI mark for industrial products (Indian Standards Institution)
- ISO certification/seal of approval (International Organization for Standardization) e.g., ISO 9001:2015 for quality management
Pro tip: When looking for certificates, check the dates. Also ask for other certificates (if applicable). With development in the technology space, many steel manufacturers are adopting lean technology to make the steel manufacturing process agile, effective and of the best quality.
3. Buy steel from reputed brands only
A key element to the online steel buying guide is to find and buy steel from authentic, reputed brands only. Whether you are buying directly from the manufacturer or through a local wholesaler/retailer, the idea is to buy from known brands. These manufacturers can be expected to follow the prescribed guidelines and procedures, perform quality assurance tests, and ensure that you are getting value-for-money on your online/offline purchase of steel metal.
Not all steel manufacturing brands are the best for all types of steel. Some specialise in a type of steel. There are manufacturers who are known for selling quality corrugated roof sheets, whereas there are others who are leaders in steel channels. Also, not all manufacturers have their market spread across all regions. Nor do all sell small order quantity online. Check on these details before purchasing.
Pro tip: If your project requirements are varied, you may consider working with different manufacturers. While this will require multi-level coordination from your end, it will also ensure that you get the best quality of steel by type for your project. Alternatively, connect with us at Tata nexarc to find all your diversified steel requirements in one place.
4. Check for prices
How much does TMT bars cost by kg/tonne in India? What’s today’s price for hot rolled coils? What’s the price of steel coils?
Whether you are buying steel online or offline, it’s given that you will enquire about the price of steel. Here are some key points to keep in mind when you buy steel online:
- Steel prices change frequently
- Based on the city/state you are buying from, the rates will vary because of additional taxes (e.g., GST)
- Steel can be bought by kg, tonne, and per piece
- All steel types have sizes and the rates vary based on the size e.g., TMT bars come in 8mm, 10mm, 16mm, 20mm, etc. And the rate changes based on the size
- Cost of steel will change marginally between brands, wholesale and retail prices
- Always check for daily steel prices in India, and steel price in the last 3 months
- There are packaging and transportation/freight charges added separately that impacts overall price of steel
In addition to these key points on steel pricing, also check for the payment terms when buying steel, i.e., advance payment, full payment, credit options, etc.
5. Additional support available
Support and guidance in purchasing steel can refer to many things. It can refer to prompt response to customer queries, after sales support, guidance on buying the right type of steel, support for availing business loans for purchasing inventory, logistics and transportation support – in short, the ability of your vendor/supplier to add value to the entire buying experience.
In general, most suppliers will be able to provide customer support and value-added services in some form or the other. Email, phone, and messaging channels are the most preferred form of communication. This gives customers the option to connect with the supplier through different channels based on need and accessibility.
Closing thoughts: The online steel buying process
The rise of eCommerce business in India has had the online buying process effortless. While it has enabled B2B and B2C audiences to save time, money, and effort, it has also led to critical questions on security, quality, credibility etc.
So, when you check online steel rates in India to buy steel, the rules are the same. Verify, validate, and ensure all the important checkboxes are ticked. Also, remember, buying steel is not a one-time activity. Infrastructure development, construction, and engineering projects are long-term projects. So, it’s imperative that you trust your steel supplier in terms of quality, prices, and meeting scheduled delivery timelines.
As a best practice, work with 2-3 suppliers to mitigate risks and consider using demand aggregation for steel procurement for efficiency and cost advantages.
Steel continues to be one of the most sourced products on the Thomasnet.com platform. It is no surprise that steel and metals represent an important supply source to today's aerospace, aviation, and medical industries.
So how can steel and metal manufacturing businesses continue the momentum of their business growth? First, make sure you have a clear business plan. Some manufacturers try to grow their manufacturing business by doing everything possible. In this post, we'll help you choose business goals that are realistic and how you can document them so you can see your milestones and track your growth along the way. Doing so will ensure you're not as overwhelmed and your employees stay motivated too.
Create A Business Plan
If you're just starting out, a good business plan will save you time later and potentially attract angel investors if you plan to seek out that kind of funding. There are several factors to consider, including your legal requirements, where you’ll be selling, your day-to-day roles, and when you’ll start making money. There are also production and personnel data you should detail in your business plan and answer questions like:
- How are your steel products or service produced?
- What does it cost to produce your steel products or service?
- Is there an adequate pool of talent for future hires?
- Do you have an organizational chart?
- Do you have a management strategy?
💡 Get Your Free Business Plan Template: Establish A Roadmap For Future Growth
Understand What Your Employees Need To Thrive
You may have heard before that when you keep your employees happy, they keep your customers happy. It’s true that both your employees and your customers are at the heart of what you do — and key to business success.
Amerequip Corporation, a designer and manufacturer for the utility tractor, skid steer loader, and lawn & garden equipment markets, implemented several steps contributing to their $150 million annual revenue. One of the first steps was improving the culture of their internal teams. They needed to improve processes and reduce employee turnover to ensure they were equipped to handle more growth. Ameriquip modified their working hours with morning and afternoon shifts that run 10 hours each, Monday through Thursday, and a weekend shift that comprises three 12-hour days, Friday to Sunday — and they're now able to fill their talent pipeline.
Flexibility is what the modern workforce is looking for today, and it’s a solving factor of one of the challenges many U.S. manufacturers are still experiencing to bridge the generational gap. Addressing internal improvements can ultimately lead to efficiencies, improved quality control on the shop floor, and increase your customer base.
Build On A Customer-Centric Model
As a business owner, we know you’re already focused on servicing your customers — but don’t get so busy tending to their needs that you forget they’re key to attracting new ones. Keep your customers happy by communicating with them regularly — outside of regular customer service needs or problems. Involve them in your new growth plan and ask them for feedback about what you could be doing better. This helps you keep their needs top-of-mind while opening opportunities to address new challenges for other customers. Also, reminding customers of your presence when they least expect it can go a long way in keeping them in your accounts receivable column. You may get a customer referral out of it.
➡️ Thomas Fact: More than 5000 manufacturers have requested a free custom in-market buyer report to see which buyers are sourcing for their services.
Take Advantage Of Modern Technologies
We can't stress it enough — it's an increasingly digital world today and the strength of your online presence is more important now than ever. Many manufacturers may argue that they don't need an online presence because they have sustained growth through word-of-mouth referrals and traditional growth methods. But this creates a false sense of security.
Add Videos To Your Marketing Arsenal
Video conferencing has taken a big role in meetings and tradeshow dollars are being shifted toward online solutions. More manufacturers are investing in different ways to stay connected with their customers.
Learn More: 10 Ways Manufacturers Can Spend Their Marketing Budget
But investing in digital marketing strategies doesn't always have to cost an arm and a leg. While it is an investment that secures the future of your business, you can start with small efforts that address your prospects' buying habits. According to Content Marketing Institute, more than half the engineers and technical professionals surveyed for the 2020 Smart Marketing for Engineers report indicated that they spend at least one hour per week watching videos for work (those aged 45 and younger reported spending the most time watching videos).
Steel and metals businesses looking for new customers should understand that the workforce is now largely millennials. And in response, smart manufacturers partner with industrial marketing experts to produce videos that keep millennial prospects and customers engaged.
Some machining or steel processes can be complicated for buyers. Videos help explain the size, conditions, capabilities, and products and services available from your business. The other most common reasons manufacturers use videos are:
Videos are easy to share. Videos are visually appealing and make them the ideal format to share on social media and emails.
Videos are proven to increase sales. Reports show that 77% of consumers reported that they’d been convinced to buy a product or service based on a video.
Competitors are already using videos. 92% of marketers who use video say it's an important part of their marketing strategy — up from 78% in 2015.
And according to HubSpot, marketers who incorporate video in their content marketing strategies have seen 49% faster revenue than those that don't. Manufacturers can get a factory tour or company profile video like the one below produced for free with an advertising program — click here to learn more.
Use Industry-Focused Content
Due to the in-person limitations of COVID-19, manufacturers are using the effectiveness of digital marketing to generate new customers.
As expected, companies are 21% less likely to invest in trade shows while the use of webinars & virtual events (20%), search & social media (14%), and websites (12%) all increased in light of COVID-19.
But in today's super-connected digital world, a website is not enough to get more customers. To fuel growth, manufacturers use a compilation of emails, videos, advertising, SEO strategies, and diversified website content.
Start small with an "Industries Served" page on your website and list all the markets your services supply. As you grow, include high-quality photos and graphics to validate the quality of your work further.
"Diversified content on our site has really helped us stand out as a leader in the industry," said Eoin Lynch, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Tex Tech Industries. "Some aerospace technology can be complex, but our graphics, datasheets, and videos from Thomas Marketing Services break it down for buyers to understand what they need and how we help them."
Corrugated Metals set a record for quotes and tapped into the aerospace industry after investing in online advertising from Thomasnet.com — they were contacted by the U.S. Air Force to create a custom part for them.
"Advertising with Thomas lets us develop accounts that build our backlog and keep us more stable as the economy grows," said Ken Carlton, VP of Corrugated Metals. "One Thomas lead that came to our company spawned an entirely new company for our business."
Steel and metal manufacturing companies looking to grow need to take advantage of the digital revolution not only from a marketing perspective, but to improve operation models and the supply chain. Digitization in the steel and metals industry will give supply chain access to real-time information and appropriately respond to unpredictable changes in the market while decreasing risk and providing growth opportunities.
Success Story: Growth For Continental Steel & Tube Company
The manufacturing industry has always aspired toward supply chain consolidation. Sourcing your products from fewer suppliers can significantly benefit your company's bottom line and reduce frustrations.
This kind of consolidation helped Continental Steel's Don Ascione grow his business in a way he didn't plan for — but recognized and capitalized on as a metal specialist with a world-class network. Continental Steel has established itself over the years as a company whose specialty is sourcing hard-to-find metals. Ascione, the company's founder, utilized his operations management background and connections from around the United States and Mexico to amass a tremendous network of metal suppliers.
By supplying numerous fabrication contacts with necessary materials, Ascione also created a tight-knit network of fabricators. This network allows Continental Steel to act as a manufacturer's representative for the fabrication companies and sell projects to customers looking for pressure vessels or staircases (as an example).
Continental Steel has an advantage to really help the customer because he can choose the best fabricator for the job and provide the best pricing on the raw material for the project. The customer gets the best of both worlds, and the network gets more business as well.
When Ascione realized the opportunity to generate revenue from connecting customers with the very fabricators he was supplying, he leaped at the chance. It couldn’t have happened without Continental Steel’s expertise, knowledge, reliability, and firm establishment as a leading source for procuring elusive metals.
Knowing that opportunities like these are few and far between, Ascione seized the opportunity to nurture this new stream of revenue. Pairing a network of metal specialists with fabricators is tremendously helpful for clients. Rather than looking to Continental Steel for metal procurement exclusively, groups can now find the fabrication services they need for their project, which they previously would have needed to quote from elsewhere.
Continental Steel is now positioned to meet all of its clients’ needs, from finding whatever metal materials are required for the project, to developing the top-quality final product. Clients know that the caliber of fabrication will be unsurpassed because of the wide reach to find the best for the job.
His team works to find metals and fabricators for his clients so they don’t have to do it themselves. And now Continental Steel has become a leading source for metals procurement around the globe and a premier source for custom fabrication, as well.
UNLOCK YOUR FREE PROSPECTING REPORT: See the buyers and companies searching for your services with a free Custom In-Market Buyer Report — your next new contract might be on this list
Promote Your Steel Business
Navigating the digital landscape can be tough, along with changing global policies, and complicated distribution channels — as a manufacturing business owner, you already have so much on your plate to manage. But Thomas has been powering the manufacturing industry for more than 122 years, connecting buyers to suppliers and helping engineers get their jobs done.
“As a small machine shop, it’s critical that every marketing dollar I spend attracts the right kind of customers — those that I actually want to do business with. My Thomasnet.com program paid for itself within the first 3 months.”
Steel and metals manufacturers looking for new customers can sign up for a free company profile on Thomasnet.com to get seen by more than 1.2 million procurement professionals sourcing for industrial products and services.
Our industrial experts have compiled the below resources to help ensure your business grows and continues to prosper no matter what economic or global health situations come your way.
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Editor's Note: If you're sourcing suppliers for COVID-19 items, click here for those manufacturers and distributors. If your industrial business can support the production of essential supplies to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, please complete this form to notify us of your availability and willingness to dedicate resources. Thomas is working with State and Federal Government offices to help mobilize manufacturers to deliver supplies and services.