SMU Retiree Exit Interview: Roy Berlin of Berlin Metals

Selling the family business “is not just a personal choice, but what’s best for the company,” said Roy Berlin of Berlin Metals one year after selling his Hammond, Ind., service center operation to Olympic Steel. Speaking with Steel Market Update on his first day of retirement, “the first day of the rest of my life,” Berlin looked back at his career with a sense of accomplishment and looked forward with a sense of optimism for those whose careers are still ahead of them in the service center industry.

Berlin Metals is a long-time distributor and processor of prime tin mill products and stainless steel strip, as well as galvanized and light-gauge cold rolled, serving the building products, automotive and specialized industrial markets. The company had been under Berlin family management since his father bought out its predecessor in 1967.