Local Entrepreneur Celebrates 30 Years of Metal Supermarkets Serving Niagara Region Communities

Valued customers, community involvement and dedicated staff help achieve historic three-decade milestone

October 2, 2024 | St. Catharines, Ontario – Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, and local franchisee Farley Cotton celebrate 30 years of proudly operating in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, serving as the one-stop shop for local professionals, businesses and hobbyists alike.

First opened in 1994, Metal Supermarkets Niagara was among the brand’s first franchised locations in Canada. Before taking on the franchise owner role, Farley recognized a unique opportunity to join the Metal Supermarkets network, applying his experience in the HVAC industry to establish a convenience store for businesses and consumers to purchase metal.

“After expressing my interest in a franchise store and after touring several locations in the area, I was introduced to the company’s founder, Bill Mair,” said Farley Cotton, franchise owner of Metal Supermarkets Niagara. “During our meetings, I discovered the company’s solid business model and unique opportunities for new franchise owners while serving the small-quantity metal needs of many customers.”

Metal Supermarkets Niagara continues to be a family-run operation with Farley and wife Ines welcoming Farley’s nephew Tim Cotton to the store in 2005 — Tim now leads store operations with co-manager Robert Ferri. The team also consists of many long-term employees – some with careers as long as 26 years. According to Farley, this loyalty, coupled with Ines’ excellent handling of office administration, is a testament to the team’s hard work and also to the strong business model of the Metal Supermarkets system

“We are very proud to be part of the Niagara Business Community,” said Farley. “We service a wide range of Niagara region customers from maintenance managers of large companies, artists to homeowners. It’s exciting to be a vital part of the area while providing steady employment to the store’s staff. What’s most rewarding is knowing that what we do matters to our customers.”

Metal Supermarkets Niagara has supported a wide variety of regional customers. For example, the Niagara team delivered aluminum plates to a cargo vessel while it was passing through the Welland Canal late at night. Another unique customer is the world-renowned magician Greg Frewin who often purchases metal to create illusions for his magic performances.

In addition to sponsoring local minor hockey, lacrosse and high school robotics teams plus food banks, Metal Supermarkets Niagara has been a vital business partner to the community. In 2016, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce recognized the store as a finalist in the Excellence in Manufacturing category in the Niagara Business Achievement Awards. Additionally, Metal Supermarkets Niagara has received recognition multiple times over the three decades for achieving network goals.

“We’re very proud of the work that Farley, Tim and the rest of the Metal Supermarkets Niagara team have done to provide vital metal supplies to many Niagara-area customers,” said Stephen Schober, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “I’m thrilled to congratulate the Cotton family and their skilled store team for the three decades of success they have achieved in the Niagara regional market. We very much appreciate our long-term relationship and look forward to celebrating many more milestones and successes with them.”

Metal Supermarkets stores specialize in the sales and distribution of a wide range of metal, including hot and cold rolled steel, aluminum, stainless, copper, brass and more. Various shapes such as bar, tube, angle, channel, sheet and plate are stocked to meet the needs of a wide and diverse variety of customers that require these essential products.

Located at 113 Cushman Rd, Unit 43, St. Catharines, ON, L2M 6S9, Metal Supermarkets Niagara is open Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

For additional information about Metal Supermarkets Niagara, visit https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/location/niagara/

For further information: John Swinimer, Senior PR & Communications Specialist | (905) 362-8226 ext. 9985.