Join Us Celebrating 100 years of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals!

Marking a Century of Precision Metals Excellence

In 1924, a 23-year-old second-generation immigrant with more grit than know-how founded an iron and steel scrapyard in Wallingford, Connecticut. A local paper described Fred Ulbrich Sr.’s lot as an “auto graveyard.” Today, the Ulbrich Speciality Strip Mill stands on the same site, the flagship rolling mill division of a worldwide leader in precision metal products. Transforming Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals from a depression-era scrapyard into a high-tech, global supplier took the indelible will, determination, and intellect of Fred Sr., successive generations of his family, and thousands of employees.

Milestones and Achievements

Our Company’s Journey

1927

Ulbrich first expands by doubling the size of its original 600 sq ft building to a 1200 sq ft structure to bolster its inventories. Fred Sr. pursues an education in metallurgy by enrolling in night courses at Yale.

1937

Fred Sr. founds a subsidiary named "Victory Cutlery Company," specializing in crafting diner-grade cutlery such as knives, forks, and spoons.

1942

Fred Sr. uses much of the company’s earnings to purchase one of the country’s first Sendzimir Rolling Mills and a slitter. Ulbrich supports the war effort by supplying forks, knives & spoons to the U.S. Army.

1955

The cutlery business is sold, and the company's primary focus is now re-rolling and slitting strip metal. A 20-high cluster Sendzimir mill is purchased that enables Ulbrich to roll stainless steel to thinner gauges than ever.

1963

Nickel-based alloys and a state-of-the-art testing laboratory are added as Ulbrich makes its bid to supply the booming aircraft and aerospace industries.

EXPLORE OUR HISTORY

Building our Future

The Next 100

Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals is stepping into its second century with a comprehensive plan for sustaining the long-term growth of our company. Learn more about the strategic vision that we believe will secure our next 100 years of success.

SEE OUR FUTURE

The People, Places, and Programs of Ulbrich

Our company’s history is perhaps best understood by revisiting the long-tenured employees, yearly traditions, and community engagement programs that have always defined our culture.

TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE