Who Owns Reliance?
Reliance is the corporate brand of Reliance, Inc. (NYSE: RS), the largest metals service center company in North America, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. No parent company owns the brand. Founded in 1939 in Los Angeles as Reliance Steel, it operates approximately 310 locations serving 125,000-plus customers and reported $14.29 billion in fiscal 2025 sales. It is unrelated to India's Reliance Industries.
United StatesOfficial Website
Who Owns Reliance?
- Parent Company: Reliance, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: RS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Reliance | Reliance, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of Reliance
- Founded: 1939
- Founders: Thomas J. Neilan
Thomas J. Neilan founded the business on February 3, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, as a steel distribution company. It grew through the postwar decades alongside Southern California's manufacturing, construction, and defense industries.
The acquisition model that defines the modern company developed over the second half of the twentieth century: buy regional metal distributors, keep their names and management, and connect them to shared purchasing and logistics. The company went public on the NYSE on September 16, 1994, which funded a faster pace of deals.
Landmark acquisitions included Earle M. Jorgensen Company in 2006 and Metals USA in 2013 for approximately $1.1 billion, the largest deal in company history at the time. The corporate headquarters later moved from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, Arizona.
In February 2024 the company dropped "Steel & Aluminum" from its legal name, becoming Reliance, Inc. The change acknowledged a portfolio that had grown to include specialty alloys, titanium, processing services, and international operations well beyond its original product set.
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Fiscal 2025 produced record volume: 6.4 million tons sold, up 6.2%, generating $14.29 billion in sales and approximately $739 million in net income.
About Reliance, Inc.
Is Reliance, Inc. publicly traded?
Yes. Reliance, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RS and is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 index. It has been public since its IPO on September 16, 1994.
Is Reliance, Inc. the same company as Reliance Industries?
No. Reliance, Inc. is the largest metals service center company in North America, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and found at reliance.com. Reliance Industries Limited is a separate, much larger Indian conglomerate based in Mumbai and found at ril.com. The two companies are unrelated.
Who founded Reliance, Inc.?
Thomas J. Neilan founded the company on February 3, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, as a steel distribution business. It grew through branch expansion and acquisitions into the largest metals service center in North America.
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What does Reliance, Inc. sell?
The company sells more than 100,000 metal products, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, alloy, brass, copper, and titanium. About 49% of orders include value-added processing such as cutting, slitting, or machining before delivery.
When did Reliance Steel & Aluminum become Reliance, Inc.?
The company changed its legal name from Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. to Reliance, Inc. in February 2024. Management said the new name better reflected a portfolio that had expanded beyond steel and aluminum.
Who is the CEO of Reliance, Inc.?
Karla Lewis is President and Chief Executive Officer. Arthur Ajemyan serves as Chief Financial Officer, and Stephen Koch serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
How many locations does Reliance have?
Reliance operates approximately 310 locations across 41 U.S. states and 10 countries, serving more than 125,000 customers. Approximately 40% of orders are delivered within 24 hours.
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- Founded: 1939
- Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: RS
- Revenue: $14.29 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 16,100
Where Is Reliance Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Reliance Categories & Tags
Reliance Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Independent public status and S&P MidCap 400 membership provide capital access and liquidity
- +Scale in purchasing and inventory gives the brand availability no rival matches nationally
- +The Family of Companies model retains local identities that customers already trust
- +A record 6.4 million tons sold in 2025 confirms share gains in a fragmented industry
- +Small average order size and a 125,000-customer base limit concentration risk
Considerations
- -The generic name creates persistent confusion with India's unrelated Reliance Industries
- -The corporate brand is invisible to most buyers, who interact with subsidiary names
- -Earnings remain exposed to metal price spreads and industrial demand cycles
- -Tariff policy shifts affect both sourcing costs and customer behavior unpredictably
- -Growth depends partly on a continuing supply of acquisition targets at reasonable prices
Frequently Asked Questions About Reliance
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Reliance
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Steel | USA | 1901 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Bluescope Steel | Australia | 2002 | Mass market | Asia pacific | Unisex |
Learn More About Competitors
Conglomerates IndustrialU.S. Steel
Owned by United States Steel Corporation
Flagship brand of United States Steel Corporation, the iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Steel under a US government golden share arrangement.
steelmanufacturingmetals
Conglomerates IndustrialBlueScope Steel Products
Owned by BlueScope Steel Limited
Core steel manufacturing division of BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL), an Australian steel company spun off from BHP Billiton in July 2002; operates the Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales, produces flat steel products including hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil, and coated steel, and manufactures branded products including COLORBOND steel and ZINCALUME steel.
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Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Reliance competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Reliance
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Reliance, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Conglomerates IndustrialU.S. Steel
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Conglomerates IndustrialACC Limited
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Conglomerates IndustrialCHS
Owned by CHS Inc.
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agribusinesscooperativegrain
Privately Owned
CHS is privately owned, unlike Reliance which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Conglomerates IndustrialDalmia Cement
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Indian cement and building materials brand owned by Dalmia Bharat Group, the fourth largest cement manufacturer in India by capacity.
cementconstructionbuilding-materials
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Dalmia Cement is privately owned, unlike Reliance which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Conglomerates IndustrialKiewit
Owned by Kiewit Corporation
Corporate brand of Kiewit Corporation, the employee-owned Omaha construction and engineering company founded in 1884.
constructionengineeringinfrastructure
Privately Owned
Kiewit is privately owned, unlike Reliance which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Reliance, Inc. Stock Information
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