Valley Iron was born in 1958, when David Newman and Martin Richtel opened their steel yard on Cherry Avenue in Fresno. Newman and Richtel worked well as partners, building their fledgling shop into an established business that sold steel products to local farmers, construction companies and other area businesses.
After 25 years, the founders decided it was time to enjoy retirement. They sold Valley Iron to supplier and longtime Bakersfield iron man, Jim Briscoe, and his wife, Lee Anne in September 1983. The Briscoes’ plan was to transform the company into a full steel distribution center with a wider geographical reach and an emphasis on new steel. Within their first decade, the couple invested in a metal warehouse complete with overhead cranes and a new office building.
Just four successful years later, a second warehouse was added for storage to protect the material from the Valley fog and rain. A third soon followed to house their new venture into stainless steel and aluminum. To keep up with demand, the Briscoes realized they needed additional space.
In 2005 Valley Iron seamlessly transitioned from its original 5.5 acre property with 40,000 square feet of warehouse space to an entirely new facility just a half mile down the street. The company maintained full operation at the original location throughout construction at the new site, and seamlessly transitioned into the new
20-acre facility with 110,000 square feet under roof over a single weekend.
In 2007, the company added office space and constructed another building for its venture into plate processing. In 2010, Valley Iron added a second location in Vacaville, with 7 acres and 95,000 square feet of warehouse space. And in 2021 Valley Iron welcomed All Metals Supply, located in Oroville, becoming Valley Iron’s third location. At the same time, a major expansion was initiated to triple the space in our Fresno office. Meanwhile, Valley Iron has added a number of new state-of-the-art capabilities, including tube/shape laser cutting and fiber laser cutting technologies.*
All told, Valley Iron is now well-positioned to service all of Central and Northern California, as we look ahead to 2023 and celebrating our 65-year journey of service, expertise and customer satisfaction. We invite you to join us on that journey.
*Coming to our Fresno location in late 2022
VALLEY IRON TIMELINE
June 2021
2021
Proudly welcoming All Metals Supply to the Valley Iron family. At Valley Iron, we have long admired and respected All Metals [...]
April 2017
2017
The Valley Iron delivery fleet grows to 21 trucks in Fresno and 6 in Vacaville.
January 2016
2016
Valley Iron completes the expansion of their plate processing building, making room for more machines.
January 2015
2015
Valley Iron constructs 60,000 square feet of warehouse space for stainless and aluminum, with a new packaging and materials handling system. Named [...]
January 2010
2010
Valley Iron expands into Northern California by opening a facility in Vacaville.
January 2007
2007
The business adds 16,500 square feet of facilities and new equipment to venture into plate processing.
January 2005
2005
The Briscoe’s move the business and expand to a 24-acre facility with 110,000 square feet of warehouse space.
May 2003
2003
Named Family Business of the Year plus the Small Family Business of the Year by the Institute of Family Business at Fresno [...]
January 1999
1999
A third warehouse is built to accommodate new stainless steel and aluminum product lines.
January 1994
1994
The distribution center adds a second warehouse for storage.
January 1990
1990
Valley Iron builds its first metal warehouse and office.
January 1983
1983
Jim and Lee Anne Briscoe purchase Valley Iron.
January 1958
1958
David Newman and Martin Richtel open a small operation to supply used steel to farmers and construction.