Klein Steel Service's expansion leads to western New York site

Klein Steel Service Inc., Rochester, N.Y., a full-line steel service center, has taken over the former Gibraltar Industries warehouse between Buffalo and Niagara Falls in Tonawanda, N.Y.

The company had been operating in western New York from a leased facility in Blasdell, south of Buffalo. The company says it chose to invest in the Tonawanda site for its proximity to customers in both Niagara and Erie counties. The 110,000-sq.-ft. building supports the company's metal distribution and processing for customers in western New York and northern Pennsylvania. Additionally, the plant accommodates Buffalo Steel, one of Klein's two retail stores serving walk-in customers.

Known as Klein Steel of Western New York, the new facility employs 37 associates, adding to the 130 members of the company's Rochester and Syracuse work forces. The company says the move to the Buffalo-Niagara region reflects its growth strategy and expanding customer base. Future plans include adding to the work force this year and next.

Founded in 1971, Klein is a 10-time Rochester Top 100 company. Products include carbon, stainless steel, and aluminum. The company's capacity includes a Kasto automatic storage and retrieval system; an 87,000-PSI International Flow Technologies waterjet; a 5-kW Bystronic laser; a Kasto automatic miter saw; plasma contour beveling; an Anglemaster; 12 saws; five plate burning and plasma cutting tables; and two shears.

Klein's president, retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste, joined the company in 2005 after retiring from 31 years of service in the United States Army. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and the Army War College and has a master's degree in financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.