AMU Summit: OEMs push more aluminum processing to service centers

Aluminum service centers are taking on more processing once handled inside OEM plants. Kloeckner Metals says that shift is changing how service centers deploy capital and carry inventory.

Tom Sennett, executive vice president of aluminum and stainless at Kloeckner, described the change during a Q&A at AMU Summit 2026 in Atlanta. He said the trend has gained momentum during the past several years.

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.