Service Steel Company

The Service Steel Company, a steel tube, pipe, and bar service center, was organized in Detroit by Herbert B. Van Pelt and his son, Donald C. Van Pelt in 1920, and was headquartered at Rivard and Maple Streets tucked in between Eastern Market and Lafayette Park.

H.B. Van Pelt had been with the Columbia Steel & Shafting Co. and the Pittsburgh Shafting Co. for about 10 years, the last four years as vice president and sales manager of the latter. Upon retirement, he purchased the company’s stock of seamless and welded tubing, which provided him with startup inventory for the new company.

Through the years, Service Steel has remained solid under the ownership and direction of the Van Pelt family – 100 years after its founding.

Detroit & Steel – A Solid History

Steel is valued for its strength and stability and can be found virtually everywhere.  From infrastructure, buildings, vehicles, and machines to tools, weapons, household appliances, medicine, and even art and design, steel is ubiquitous and trusted. In our homes and offices alone, we find steel products ranging from paper clips, scissors, cutlery, cookware, and sinks to heating and cooling equipment, stairways, plumbing, electronics. Steel in invaluable and vital. 

Throughout the years, steel and Service Steel have borne witness to the evolution and growth of our economy.