Ramcast Steel & Ornamental Supply Company Inc.

From the minds of brothers Jose Luis and Ismael Ramirez, the initial idea for Ramcast Steel & Ornamental Supply Company Inc. (Ramcast) began in 1984 in a small blacksmith shop. “We were a startup company that could supply metal and do it very efficiently,” says Ismael, vice president of Ramcast.

Ramcast continued to grow, because it could offer what other steel suppliers couldn’t at that time. “The companies would offer steel, but they didn’t supply designs, electrodes, paint and the expertise of brothers,” Ismael continues. By retaining positive customer service and an appreciation for its clients, Ramcast was able to build an exceptional reputation and a long list of loyal clients.

Ramcast also found popularity through a significant demand for its product. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a high level of crime in Los Angeles, therefore, the window protection and steel fencing industry grew. Ramcast marketed its business to fencing companies and provided materials and supplies that could be used for protection or remodeling of properties.

From there, the company grew in demand and extended itself to three other locations: Sun Valley, Pomona and Fresno. Diversity was also a large factor for the company, Ramcast realized that by adhering to customers’ needs for specialized services and a wider variety of products, the company could transform itself to an all-inclusive business.

Services offered

Ramcast is a distribution, processing and fabrication steel service center and a leader in serving the steel necessities for manufacturers, as well as public and private infrastructure builders in California. Ramcast has been a distributor for 30 years with four steel service centers located throughout Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley.

Some of the products distributed by the company are structural steel tubes, angle iron, flat bar, hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet and wrought iron hardware. Ramcast can also fabricate ornamental and structural steel needs. With over 150 years of collective experience, Ramcast is proficient in both small and large scale projects.

While the company does not currently operate steel erection services, estimating or bidding, Ramcast still offers steel fabrication services, which include: gates, columns, racks and more.

Ramcast’s processing allows the company to perform thermal cuts, punches, bending, plate marking and nesting, which is an integrated option for the massive production of clients’ parts.

Ramcast does plate processing and has the ability to design and make its clients parts. The processing services include: cutting, punching, shearing, welding, bending and drilling. Finally, Ramcast has the ability to manufacture highly customized products for its clients’ needs. Working with Ramcast allows the client to save time and money by working with a full-service manufacturer for the parts and assembly. The company is essentially a one-stop shop for all of the client’s needs.

Clients of all sizes

The client list for Ramcast is extensive and expands into all different avenues of business. “We have one client, Wonder Bread, who needed steel racks to transfer bread into the trucks and we manufactured those racks,” says Ismael.

Besides steel racks, Ramcast can provide numerous services for its clients. Ramcast worked on a project for Disney in Anaheim, Calif., where the team provided and installed galvanized picket and welding to an existing beam.

Ramcast work on TOPSHOP in Los Angeles, providing structural steel and miscellaneous iron, as well as an elevator hoistway beam. The company also worked on a project for Antelope Valley Transit Authority in Lancaster, Calif., where Ramcast provided structural steel and miscellaneous iron. The project required Ramcast to supply and install approximately 2,900 tons of structural steel. The company serves both large and small businesses and uses local subcontractors for its projects.

Outlook for the future

The economic downturn in recent years was difficult for Ramcast and for companies all across the United States, as well. Luckily, Ramcast has loyal clients that have stayed with the company throughout the years. At this point, the Ramcast is remaining patient and humble for the future.

“The important thing for us right now is to remain humble and keep our ear to the ground for whatever avenue is moving forward,” says Ismael.

What started out as a small business has grown into a very profitable and family-oriented company that works in all areas, including residential, industrial and commercial. Ramcast Steel & Ornamental Supply Company Inc. works hard to make sure it covers all areas of needs for its clients, whether processing, fabricating or its main objective: distributing.