THE RELIANCE CARBON STRUCTURAL GROUP DISRUPTS CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING WITH ACQUISITION OF VECTOR INTELLIGENCE, LLC
The Reliance Carbon Structural Group is proud to announce the acquisition of Vector Intelligence, LLC, a revolutionary digital utility that automates material takeoffs from PDF project drawings. Leveraging extensive expertise in both software development and steel construction, Vector Intelligence aims to optimize the bidding process and detailing phases, thereby enabling businesses to enhance operational efficiency and concentrate on strategic growth areas. By bringing this technology in-house, the Reliance Carbon Structural Group now offers a fully integrated bidding solution designed to help fabrication partners scale faster and bid more accurately than ever before.
Accelerating the Future: Join The Infra Group at NASCC 2026
The countdown to NASCC 2026 is on!
Registration is now open for #NASCC26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta this April. NASCC is the premier event for the steel industry, featuring over 300 technical sessions and thousands of pros. The steel industry is built on precision and heavy materials, yet the “front-end” estimating process often remains stuck in the past. Manual takeoffs—using rulers, highlighters, and spreadsheets—create a growth ceiling, consuming hours that should be spent on strategic analysis.
At The Infra Group, we believe your growth shouldn’t be limited by manual data entry. We are thrilled to head to NASCC: The Steel Conference to showcase Vector Intelligence, a revolutionary business utility designed to bridge the gap between traditional estimating and modern digital efficiency.
Why Visit Booth #1107?
Stop by our booth to see how Vector Intelligence transforms the bidding bottleneck into a competitive advantage. Our team will be performing live demonstrations of the software’s core capabilities:
Automated Takeoffs: Reduce bidding time by 50% to 80% per job.
Seamless Integration: Vector produces annotated PDFs and CSV/XML outputs that plug directly into Tekla PowerFab, Excel, or your existing on-screen takeoff platforms.
The 3D Advantage: Move beyond 2D abstractions. Vector generates 3D model outputs for Tekla Structures or SDS2, allowing you to visualize complexities at the bid stage and impress General Contractors.
Strategic Synergy: Designed specifically for our partners, Vector synchronizes your workflow with ours, leading to faster pricing and reduced material waste.
Let’s Build the Future Together
NASCC is the perfect venue to discover how automation can empower your team to shed “time burdens,” pursue larger projects, and increase your win rate.
Whether you want to scale your operations or simply reclaim your weekends from manual calculations, Vector is your engine for growth.
Where: Booth #1107
What: 1-on-1 consultations and live demos of Vector Intelligence
We look forward to seeing you there and helping you bid tighter, win more, and grow faster!
An Exciting Announcement: Smith Pipe & Steel Joins The Infra Group
We are proud to announce that Smith Pipe & Steel is now a part of the Infra Group, operating under the ownership of Infra-Metals Co. and Delta Steel.
To our valued customers and suppliers, we want to assure you that our commitment to service remains our top priority.
What This Means for Our Valued Partners
To our customers and suppliers, this partnership combines the excellent service you already know with powerful new advantages:
Business as Usual: You will continue to work with the same great local management, staff, and operations team. All business will be conducted under the established Smith Pipe & Steel name.
Expanded Capabilities: This new affiliation provides access to expanded resources, a larger nationwide reach, increased steel availability, more stocking locations, and enhanced processing capabilities.
We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to our continued growth together!
Building Forward Together: A New Chapter for the SDS2 Summit
The SDS2 Summit is evolving. For years, this user conference has been a vital hub for steel detailers and fabricators, fostering a strong community and sharing knowledge. Now, it’s taking a significant step forward, rebranding as Build Forward.
The new name, Build Forward, reflects an expanded mission and a shared vision. While the conference will still feature the same community-driven spirit, with engaging breakout sessions and networking opportunities, it will now welcome a broader audience from the entire ALLPLAN ecosystem. This includes professionals like precast concrete fabricators, rebar detailers, and civil and structural engineers, creating a truly inclusive event.
The name “Build Forward” was carefully chosen. “Build” speaks to the core of what ALLPLAN customers do—turning concepts into tangible reality and developing skills and relationships. “Forward” signifies the commitment to innovation, progress, and looking ahead to new challenges. This rebranding is about uniting diverse professionals with a shared goal: to innovate and build for the future.
The inaugural Build Forward conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, on October 15-16, 2025. Attendees are encouraged to participate in several ways, whether by attending, applying to present a breakout session, or submitting their projects to the newly expanded ALLPLAN Awards. These awards now include new categories for both individuals and teams, with the winners to be announced at the Customer Appreciation Banquet.
Whether you’re a long-time SDS2 user or new to the ALLPLAN family, Build Forward offers a unique opportunity to gain inspiration and ideas to put to work in your business and career. The Infra Group is looking forward to exhibiting and connecting with you. Register here!
Modern fabrication demands more than just steel, it demands precision, speed, and integration. That is why we have equipped our facilities with state-of-the-art KINETIC Cutting Systems, bringing advanced plate processing to a new level of precision and efficiency across our national footprint.
These advanced multi-function machines combine plasma and oxy-fuel cutting with drilling, tapping, milling, beveling, machining and part marking, all in a single setup. The result?
Clean, accurate cuts with tight tolerances, reduced handling time, and faster turnarounds for even the most complex jobs.
What sets our Kinetic systems apart?
Drilling + Milling + Plasma in one pass
Automated part handling and nesting
Handles thick and thin plate with ease
Ideal for OEMs, shipyards, fabricators, and heavy industry applications
Nationwide, our plate processing capabilities are ready to support your next project, whether it is structural components, heavy machinery bases, or custom fabricated assemblies.
We are more than just a steel distributor, we are your processing partner, committed to helping you streamline production, lower costs, and deliver quality with confidence.
Let’s talk about how our Kinetic-equipped facilities can support your workflow!
Summer of Safety – The Petersburg Team’s Safety Achievements
The Petersburg team has truly achieved a remarkable feat, providing not one but two compelling reasons for enthusiastic celebration! Their unwavering dedication to workplace safety culminated in the extraordinary accomplishment of 365 consecutive days without a single safety incident.
This signifies a year of meticulous adherence to safety protocols, careful attention to detail, and a collective commitment to a secure work environment. This impressive achievement not only demonstrates their individual conscientiousness but also the collective efficacy of their safety-focused culture.
Building upon this already outstanding milestone, the Petersburg team further distinguished themselves by being crowned The Infra Group’s 2024–2025 Safety Challenge Champions. This prestigious award underscores their leadership and excellence in implementing robust safety practices that have garnered recognition across the entire organization.
To commemorate this double celebration of safety success, the team was honored with a truly unique and practical reward: a custom Infra-Metals–branded golf cart, serving as the grand prize for their championship victory. The celebratory event was a joyous occasion, filled with camaraderie and appreciation. Team members enjoyed delicious food, participated in fun activities, and were delighted with various door prizes and safety gifts. The teammates were also given 365-Day Branded Backpack Coolers, serving as a daily reminder of their collective achievement and the importance of continued safety efforts.
This team’s consistent performance and proactive approach to safety solidify their position as a benchmark for what a strong, safety-first culture truly embodies. Their commitment to maintaining a secure workplace sets an inspiring example for other teams within The Infra Group and beyond.
North America’s premier event returns to Chicago, IL for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing and will convene at McCormick Place from September 8-11 2025. FABTECH offers a comprehensive platform to connect with global industry leaders, explore cutting-edge technologies, and discover innovative solutions to optimize productivity, enhance profitability, and address your metalworking challenges.
With over 850,000 square feet dedicated to the latest manufacturing equipment, this event is your one-stop destination to discover groundbreaking innovations tailored to your specific applications and industries.
Join Infra-Metals and The Infra Group at booth #A3399 for several days filled with innovation and most importantly, Steel!
We are committed to advancing the future of structural steel processing through strategic investment and innovation.
One of our key investments is in the Voortman Steel Machinery V807 , a game-changing technology that allows for high-speed, high-precision robotic plasma cutting, drilling, and coping, all in one pass. This technology supports our customers with faster turnaround, tighter tolerances, and reduced fabrication time on structural projects.
We have installed these advanced beam lines across multiple Infra Group locations, ensuring our customers nationwide benefit from this high-performance capability. These investments are part of our strategic push into new and emerging markets, from data centers and modular construction to heavy infrastructure, OEMs, shipyards, and renewable energy.
But what truly sets our processing apart is our people. Each location is staffed with experienced operators and CNC programmers who know how to get the most out of this cutting-edge equipment. Their deep knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to quality are exactly why our customers trust us with their most complex steel processing needs.
At The Infra Group, we are not just moving steel, we are moving the industry forward!
Exhibiting at the 2025 SEAA Convention & Trade Show: Steel Strong in Steel City!
The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) will host its 52nd Annual Convention & Trade Show in the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from May 6-9, 2025, at The Landing Hotel at Rivers Casino. This premier event brings together industry professionals for four days of invaluable networking, education, and insight into the latest trends in steel construction.
A Hub for Industry Leaders
The SEAA Convention & Trade Show served as a vital platform for businesses to connect with key decision-makers in the structural steel industry. With an estimated 100-500 exhibitors and 1000-5000 visitors, it offers unparalleled exposure to a targeted audience of over 500 industry professionals. Exhibitors have the unique opportunity to showcase their products and services, engage in hands-on demonstrations, and participate in an energetic trade show that runs Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Event Highlights
The convention’s agenda is packed with engaging content designed to address critical issues facing the steel construction industry. Attendees benefited from:
Insightful Educational Sessions: Covering topics such as construction processes, safety advancements, new tools and technology, and effective business management strategies.
Inspiring Keynote Presentation: Featuring First Sergeant (Ret.) Matt Eversmann, who delivers powerful leadership lessons from “Black Hawk Down” in his talk, “Strategic Shock: Leadership Lessons from Black Hawk Down.”
Interactive Discussions: Panel discussions with award-winning member companies and peer-led small-group sessions on crucial subjects like project bidding, risk management, and leveraging social media.
Exceptional Networking: Beyond the trade show floor, participants can enjoy a variety of social events, including a scenic Riverboat Cruise on the Gateway Princess and a memorable baseball game featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park.
Recognition of Excellence: The convention also celebrates industry leaders with the presentation of the 2025 Safety and Craft Training Excellence Awards, recognizing companies demonstrating outstanding performance in workplace safety and ironworker training.
For those looking for additional activities, the event also features the George R. Pocock Memorial Golf Tournament and a Pickleball Tournament.
The 2025 SEAA Convention & Trade Show in Pittsburgh is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the steel erection industry.
For more information, please visit the official SEAA website:
Don’t Miss IPF: The Epicenter of Offshore Wind and Ocean Renewables in the Americas
Want to be at the forefront of the offshore wind and ocean renewables revolution? Look no further than the International Partnering Forum (IPF)! Hosted by Oceantic Network, this is the biggest and most influential conference in the Americas for the industry.
IPF is where global experts meet, collaborate, and innovate. Join like minded attendees for unparalleled networking, business growth opportunities, and the insider knowledge you need to thrive in this evolving sector. If you’re in offshore wind or ocean renewables, IPF is where you need to be.
We are heading to #IPF25 in Virginia Beach, VA, from April 28 – May 1! Join The Infra Group at booth #2031 and learn how we are supplying the offshore wind industry with world class structural steel and first-stage processing.
