Second branch opens in Irvine under Neil Sherman (now CEO). Family culture + rapid turnaround fuel growth.
Our History
Family roots in 1948. A promise that still stands: Metal Made Easy.
History
From Station Wagon to Southwest Leader
It was 1948 when Industrial Metal Supply first opened its doors in Burbank, California—and the company was a true family operation. Founded by Norman Sherman and his wife Sally, IMS began as a scrap and surplus business that used the family’s 1947 Pontiac station wagon as a delivery vehicle by day and the family car by night.
In the early days, Norman picked up usable scrap from Lockheed Martin in Burbank and supplied local movie studios. Over time, that humble start grew into a full-line metal distribution company serving a wide range of industries. With an eye for opportunity and deep product knowledge, the Shermans evolved IMS from station-wagon runs and a scrapyard storefront into a multimillion-dollar regional distributor serving the Southwest.
Milestones
Expansion to San Diego, Phoenix, and Riverside. Inventory and processes scale with ISO standards.
Sixth location in Tucson brings “Metal Made Easy” to more customers across the Southwest.
Decades-long relationships with leading mills and specialty suppliers ensure quality and breadth of product.
First Northern California branch opens in San Jose, expanding same-day access.
Phoenix relocates to a facility 2× larger with conveyor stacker, bundle splitter, and four overhead cranes.
IMS keeps investing in technology, equipment, and locations—saving customers time and money with Metal Made Easy.
