Why It Matters to Distributors: Large government contracts are reinforcing the role of distributors as integrated supply chain partners—not just product providers, creating opportunities for value-added services and long-term revenue visibility.
Reliance Inc. said its subsidiary, AMI Metals Inc., has been awarded two U.S. government-related contracts with a combined potential value of $2.9 billion, expanding its role in infrastructure and defense supply chains.
AMI secured a multi-year contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with a maximum value of up to $2.24 billion to supply steel and provide logistics support for border wall construction. The agreement runs from February 2026 through December 2028. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter.
In a separate award, AMI received a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract valued at up to $654 million to process aluminum plate for multiple platforms at Lockheed Martin Corp., including the F-35 fighter jet program.
Reliance said the contracts were not included in their previously issued first-quarter 2026 financial outlook. Additional details are expected when the company reports earnings in April.
Chief Executive Karla Lewis said the awards reflect the company’s ability to manage large, complex metal supply chains.
Reliance operates in about 310 locations and distributes more than 100,000 products to over 125,000 customers, focusing on small, frequent orders and rapid fulfillment. In 2025, about 40% of orders were delivered within 24 hours.
The awards highlight the expanding role of metals distributors in procurement, processing, and logistics for large-scale projects.
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