Six Decades of Strength: Celebrating 60 Years of Sugar Steel
They say steel is forged in fire, but a business is forged in grit, adaptation, and a whole lot of heavy lifting. This year, Sugar Steel officially hits the 60-year mark. From a modest start in a historic Chicago neighborhood to becoming a multi-state powerhouse in first-stage processing, it’s been one heck of a ride. Here’s a look back at the journey from modest beginnings to the cutting-edge capabilities we offer today.
The Early Days: Pullman and the Chicago Hustle
It all started in March 1966. Our first warehouse was located at 108th and Cottage Grove in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood.
Back then, things were simple. Our “high-tech” capabilities consisted of saws that topped out at 14 inches and some basic torch cutting for plates and beams. It wasn’t long before we literally outgrew our walls, eventually adding a storage yard at 87th and the Dan Ryan to keep up with demand.
Scaling Up: From University Park to Chicago Heights
By the late 80s, we knew we needed a home built for the future. In 1989, we broke ground on a greenfield facility in University Park, moving in a year later. This era was a game-changer for us:
-
We upgraded to 27-inch band saws.
-
We added shearing and burn tables to our arsenal.
-
We became one of the largest basement beam suppliers in the Midwest, even producing shims for residential construction.
But as the steel industry evolved, so did we. After a brief stint in Frankfort in 1999, we found our forever home (well, current home!) in 2001 by purchasing the old Thrall Car facility in Chicago Heights.
Precision and Processing: The Modern Era
The move to Chicago Heights wasn’t just about more square footage—it was about better service. We completely rehabbed the facility with new cranes, enclosed the outside crane runways to protect our inventory, and went all-in on first-stage processing.
Throughout the 2000s, we didn’t just buy bigger saws; we bought smarter tech, including:
-
Anglemasters for high-speed punching and shearing.
-
Shot blasters for clean surface preparation.
-
Burn and drill CNC machines for precision components such as baseplates.
Growth Through Partnership
Over the last two decades, our “family tree” has grown. In 2008, we joined the PNA Group, which shortly after became part of the Reliance family. This stability allowed us to expand our footprint beyond Illinois, opening facilities in Evansville, IN (2011) and Perrysburg, OH (2019).
In 2025, we turned the page to our newest chapter, merging to become part of The Infra Group.
60 Years and Counting
If you look at Sugar Steel today, we’re a far cry from that 1966 warehouse selling bundles. We’ve spent the last decade obsessed with perfecting our processing capabilities so that when our customers get their steel, it’s ready for fabrication.
To our employees, our partners, and our customers who have been with us through every evolution of our business—thank you! Here’s to 60 years of service, and many more to come.