DNA is the hereditary matter that makes us uniquely who we are.
Our focus and expertise in metal distribution…
Our product reach, quality and value—no matter how complex…
Our commitment to delivering the best service…always…
Our passion for what we do and the people we serve…
At Paragon Steel, it’s what’s in our DNA that makes us uniquely us.
NEW BLOG
The Lessons of 2020 – As Viewed by an Optimist
There once was a world that had lost its way. Everyone was moving so fast that they forgot to look around. People didn’t seem to notice one other. Some were blinded by their consumerism, others distracted by pleasure. Some idolized work and worried about the next big thing. Many sought power, wealth or fame. And everywhere, it seemed, people shared one common problem: All that should matter in life, didn’t quite matter enough.
Read more »
QUALITY & SERVICE
We pride ourselves on giving high quality service to all our customers.
RANGE OF PRODUCTS
We have a diverse range of steel products to fit most any requirements.
CUSTOMER LOYALTY
Customers come back to us because they want high quality and value
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
We pay close attention to the details because you expect the very best
The Paragon Steel Promise:
To provide higher levels of quality and service to our customers
while delivering any product, in any size or specification.
By Jim Stavis
It was more than 42 years ago when I started my first automotive aftermarket business called Pace Setter Industries. It grew to become the largest muffler manufacturer west of the Mississippi. In addition to business concepts, the one thing I had to become knowledgeable with was steel. We had bought an incredible amount of tubing, aluminized steel and steel coils of all varieties. I found myself frustrated with the vendors on the supply side of steel distribution. To fulfill all of our processes, we needed more than a dozen different types of steel vendors. Since we ran a production line, getting just-in-time vendors was critical to our success.
After 16 years in business, I eventually sold my interest in the muffler company and joined Doug Carpenter, who was a close vendor and friend. Together, we formed Paragon Steel in 1988 in Long Beach. The lessons I learned in my prior business in meeting the needs of manufacturing became the blueprint for our new company. Our sole focus was to provide higher levels of quality and service to our customers. When customers would ask what we could provide, we would respond with, “Whatever you need.” We broke the barrier of specialization. For years, steel distributors would only carry one type of commodity, such as structural shapes, or plates, or flat rolled or stainless and aluminum products. At Paragon Steel, we can provide any product, in any size or specification. Our boundaries are endless. There was a time when steel distributors dictated to their customers when deliveries could be made or how many pieces were in a bundle of steel. We looked at that as an old paradigm. Why not provide delivery when the customer wanted it in the quantities they desired? It sounds simple today, but back in 1988, it was revolutionary thinking.
So now, some 26 years later, we are still evolving. Customer needs have certainly changed. Customers now have technology at their disposal to source online, send out requisitions via e-mail and do not require the face-to-face contact that used to be a fundamental part of developing relationships. As a vendor, it is much harder to foster those relationships, and we find that it is still a vital part of business. At Paragon Steel, we view ourselves as an extension of a customer’s purchasing department. If we cannot provide value, then there really would be no reason for us to exist, let alone prosper.
So enough about the past…what about the future? We see a changing landscape. The continuing trend of mergers and consolidation with steel service centers will make companies like ours more unique and special. Bigger companies cannot shift in and out of markets as we can. They become too structured and bureaucratic to provide the levels of service that customers now demand. There is no going back on that. And even though communication has changed and markets have changed, and continue to change, it still boils down to people doing business with people they can trust. We welcome the opportunity to earn yours.
Jim Stavis Speaks
I am not just a President & CEO—I am also a triple transplant recipient, surviving a surgery that is both incredibly rare and risky. How did I manage Type I diabetes, the transplant wait list, running a successful company and caring for a family? Here’s a hint: It has to do with HOPE.
I share this story of hope through my award-winning documentary Source of Hope as well as through professional speaking engagements across the nation. To request a copy of my documentary or learn more about booking me as a speaker for your next event, visit www.jimstavis.com. You can also follow Jim Stavis Speaks on my official Facebook page. Or sign up here to be added to the distribution list for Paragon Steel’s quarterly insightful business newsletter where I also share stories of hope.
—Jim Stavis, President & CEO, Paragon Steel
Our focus and expertise in distribution and processing allow us to take care of all your metal needs—large or small, easy or hard-to-find and always with the higher level of quality and service our customers expect from us:
OUR PRODUCTS
• WF Beams
• I-Beams
• HR Channel
• HR Sheet & Coil
• CR Sheet & Coil
• HR Plate
• Flat Bar
• Round Bar
• Square Bar
• Rectangular Tube
• Round Tube
• Pipe
• Floor Plate
• Expanded Metal
• Trench Plate
• Shoring
• Stainless Steel
• Aluminum
OUR SERVICES
• Flamecutting
• Forming
• Cutting
• Punching
• Shearing
• Slitting
• Beam Splitting
• Water Jet
• Coating
OUR SPECIALTIES
• Hard-to-find items
• Fast & reliable deliveries
• Custom packaging & marking
• Just-in-time programs
• CalTrans approved
• Federal & state approved
• Full & broken bundles
WEIGHT BOOKS
Click to view or download our
weight book resource guides
in PDF format (5 MB)
MEDIA
Paragon Steel and our President & CEO Jim Stavis are proud to be featured throughout the media in articles about our company, industry trends and causes that are close to our heart—organ donation and hope through adversity in business and in life. Visit this section often for good reads and inspiration!
Watch the video by The Economist
Paragon continues to re-form the status quo
As seen on Thomasnet.com; Article by Cassandra Newman
As featured by Metals Service Center Institute
Meet a member of our sales team:
Noelle Lee
Noelle has been selling steel products for more than six years on the East Coast and was recently transferred out west temporarily. Once she got a taste of life in Southern California (especially over the winter), she decided to stay here full time. We had to convince her that it really doesn’t rain as much as it did this year. Noelle’s background is strong in steel plate, and like Jerry, her steel knowledge is being broadened to include many more steel, aluminum and stainless products.
You can reach Noelle at (908) 675-6847 • nlee@paragonsteel.com
7405 E. Slauson Avenue
Commerce, CA 90040
info@paragonsteel.com
Toll Free: 800-388-8998
Phone: 562-216-4000
Fax: 562-216-4001
STAY CONNECTED WITH PARAGON STEEL
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