Metric Confusion

Many aspects of life are confusing, such as algebra and the rules of cricket. Did you ever wonder why quicksand works so slowly? Or why something can be "uncouth" but not "couth"? And shouldn't the number eleven be pronounced onety-one?

We don't have all the answers, but we can make it easier to understand one possibly confusing topic: the metric system.

Check out our latest video in which Marv helps Sammy learn the difference between the metric system and the standard American or imperial measurement system. Enjoy!

3 Reasons to Use the Metric System

Wondering why we use the metric system? Here are 3 quick reasons we can think of off the tops of our heads.

1. Most other countries in the world have already completely converted to using the metric system. International business is much easier when there's a standardized method of measurement.

2. The metric system was created by scientists, so it's logic-based and exact.

3. There are only seven base units in the metric measuring system - compared to the 24 found in the inch-pound system.

Our Fresno, California Warehouse

Did you know that Parker Steel has a warehouse in Fresno, California, as well as the two in Toledo, Ohio?

What’s so great about having a Parker Steel warehouse in Fresno, California? First - and most importantly - it means we can offer our west-coast customers lower shipping costs and 1 to 2 day shipping on items in stock. And secondly, Fresno’s pretty awesome.

1. Nothing rhymes with Fresno, except zesno, which isn't a word.
2. An old law in Fresno prohibits the sale of permanent markers within city limits.
3. Fresno is the raisin capitol of the world.

With all that going for it, we jumped at the chance to open a third warehouse there!

Recycling Steel

According to the Steel Recycling Institute, Steel is North America's most recycled material. More steel is recycled than paper, aluminum, plastic and glass combined.

When you recycle steel it goes through the following process.

1. Separation. Magnetic belts are used to sort through recycled material and attract everything made of metal.

2. Detinning. Some steel is covered in layers of tin. Those layers need to be removed and recycled separately. Detinning is usually done by a specialized steel company.

3. Melting. The collected recycled steel is melted in a furnace and pour into casters. Then, those casters are rolled into flat sheets.

4. Reformation. From sheet form the steel can be converted back into usable steel products, like cans, car parts and construction materials.

What's really great about recycling steel is that you can do it over and over. It never loses strength or quality.

We Heart the Metric System for Helping Heart Surgery!

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a ground-breaking medical tool that could allow surgeons to repair holes in the heart and other defects while the heart continues to beat, instead of requiring open-heart surgery.

The tool is a millimeter-scale metallic suture-like device that's deployed to the heart through curved metal tube robots inserted into the blood vessels. Once deployed to the heart through the metal tubes, the suture-like device gently pierces the heart tissue on either side of the damage-causing hole. Then with the help of tiny pulleys and gears, the device compresses the tissue together to close the hole.

Read more about this amazing procedure, and fall in love with the metric system all over again!

And the Winner Is... Parker Steel!

We're excited to announce that Parker Steel's "Metric Metals & You" videos have won a 2012 MarCom Platinum Award!

Each year the MarCom Awards are presented to companies, marketers and advertisers that demonstrate creative excellence in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs. The MarCom Awards competition receives approximately 6,000 entries every year, and we're honored to be included among their top winners. The videos were created for us by our friends at BusinessVoice.

Learn more about the MarCom Awards and winners, and check out the Parker Steel videos for information and a chuckle.

Advantages and Benefits of Titanium

Since its introduction in the 1950s, titanium has been a highly sought-after metal due to its superior properties compared to steel. The combination of high-strength to low-weight, resistance to high temperatures and corrosive material, as well as its desirable mechanical properties make titanium an ideal alloy for the aerospace, energy and chemical industries.

What do you use titanium for?