Established in 1964, Clinton Aluminum & Stainless Steel is a leading metal service center and distributor of nonferrous metal products. We strive to provide 100 percent satisfaction to our customers. Our state-of-the-art processing facilities and systems allow us to offer our customers fast quoting, accurate cutting and quick delivery, regardless of the order size. Clinton specializes in saw-cut and plasma-cut aluminum and stainless steel sheet and plate, and is capable of cutting custom shapes per sketch. At Clinton, we take pride in our work and our reputation for consistently providing the best customer service in the industry.
Though Clinton has grown significantly since 1964, our values remain unchanged: Clinton is committed to providing superior customer service at a competitive price, cultivating a team environment that promotes pride in work and a “can-do” attitude, and treating our employees, customers and vendors with respect. We do this to ensure your needs are met and expectations exceeded. Without the hard-working, dedicated and experienced team at Clinton, none of our success is possible.
History
Originally a manufacturer of aluminum bead rings for tire molds for the tire and rubber industry, Clinton Aluminum and Stainless Steel began operations as Clinton Machine Co. in 1964 out of a two-car garage with a dilapidated drilling machine and an outdated gas engine lathe. Founder Joe Podnar, Sr. and his family were the only employees. The Podnar family’s “whatever-it-takes” attitude, along with a commitment to excellent customer service became the company’s underlying philosophy, allowing Clinton to achieve significant growth in the early years.
In the 80s, brothers Terry and Mark Podnar became a vital part of the company’s management team, running the service center and manufacturing operation. In February 2007, a portion of the company was sold to Republic Financial Corporation, a privately held investment company based in Aurora, CO.
In the late 80s, suppliers of aluminum plate extended lead times beyond the requirements of Clinton’s customers, so Clinton set out to find a better way to meet customers’ needs. Clinton began purchasing full size aluminum plates to cut the material themselves, causing many local businesses to start purchasing their cut aluminum from Clinton. At the time, Clinton was one of the few companies offering smaller individual orders for smaller jobs. As a result, in 1992, Clinton became a metal service center, shifting operational focus to become a distributor for mill-direct sales.
In 1997, Clinton made the decision to bring the saw-cutting of extra wide, extra thick and extra long aluminum plate in-house and purchased our first Kasto bandsaw, enabling us to do so. The addition of the Kasto bandsaw opened up opportunities for us in the mold plate segment of our industry. Our aluminum mold plate is often used for plastic injection moldings for tools, machine parts and other mechanical components. Other uses of aluminum plate include blow molding, structural foam molding and rubber molds. Since 1997, the mold industry has become a significant segment of our business.
After penetrating the aluminum market, the company expanded into the stainless steel market, striving to offer the same competitive pricing, precision processing and excellent service. Clinton began offering its customers other forms and grades of aluminum, such as structural shapes and sheet.
Clinton’s high-quality equipment and commitment to offering our customers the latest technology has allowed Clinton to become one of the leading processing facilities in the country. Our production equipment allow us to meet exact customer specifications.
Today, Clinton Aluminum and Stainless Steel operates out of facilities totaling over 175,000 square feet and has a staff of over 150 employees. In January 2007, the Janesville, Wisconsin service center was opened, serving areas such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota ,portions of Iowa and other regions of the Midwest and Western US and Canada.
Team
Tony Negrelli
President
Tony Negrelli was appointed as president of Clinton Aluminum and Stainless Steel in 2007. Tony joins Clinton from Alcoa’s Global Extrusions division. Previously he was with Copper and Brass Sales, a division of ThyssenKrupp North America. During his 23 year career with Copper and Brass Sales, Negrelli served in leadership roles within sales and operations and helped grow the organization’s sales and develop new product lines to significantly increase business.
Tony has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from John Carroll University.
Bob Smer
Warehouse Supervisor
As warehouse supervisor at Clinton Aluminum and Stainless Steel, Bob Smer is responsible for all production, management of production employees, shipping, warehousing and resource planning and implementation.
Bob began his career with Clinton Machine as a machinist and became the warehouse supervisor for metal service center operations when Clinton Aluminum and Stainless Steel began in the mid-80s. During Bob’s tenure, the company’s capabilities have grown from virtually nothing to total production space of 115,000 square feet, 100 production employees and drivers working three shifts, and over 35 million pounds of metal processed.
Bob has completed two years of technical education and numerous management training courses during his career. He and his wife Jenny live in Massillon, OH with their two children.
