United Performance Metals
Specialty Metals Solutions Center

United Performance Metals (UPM), an affiliate company of O’Neal Industries, is a global specialty metals solutions center providing high-performance metals and alloys to customers in various industries, including aerospace, defense, space, fasteners, medical, oil & gas, power generation, semiconductor, and more. UPM’s reputation is highly regarded, particularly for its exemplary service, portfolio of products, FIRSTCUT+® Processing Services, quality approvals, and custom supply chain solutions.

In the medical sector, UPM’s unique offerings focus on a broad range of products and services tailored to the medical products community. For the medical implant market, UPM offers grades such as CP Grade 2, CP Grade 3, CP Grade 4, Ti-6AL-4V, Ti-6AL-4V ELI, 316LS/316LVM, and CCM. In addition to the medical implant market, for medical instruments, UPM distributes products, including 17-4PH, 17-4 PH h900, Custom 455®, Custom 465®, and more. UPM also stocks stainless and titanium bars to centerless ground tolerance (+/-.0005”) for sizes .75” round and below and precision tolerance (+/-.0002”) for sizes .625” round and below. UPM also provides a wide variety of titanium plate sizes that can be sold as a full plate or cut to length.

“Many of our clients demand a high level of precision, especially designed for their complex Swiss screw machine applications where straightness and dimensional consistency are critical. We are known for our precise processing, cutting, and packaging of materials according to customer specifications,” says Dennis Rahill, Business Development Manager for UPM’s medical products and markets.

UPM has ingrained a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and customer-centricity. During the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with various supply chain disruptions, UPM’s supply chain has been instrumental in developing new sourcing options. This resilience came into play when the supply of titanium, a critical component in medical applications, was significantly impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, leading to disruptions in Russian exports. Consequently, the aerospace sector, which also relies on titanium, has seen an increased demand shift towards European, some Asian, and notably U.S. suppliers. The surge in demand is straining capacity, impacting the medical sector. In this case, UPM’s suppliers have shielded it from the supply challenges during this period of constant instability.

“We’re not limited to a single source, as we offer a wide array of different products. Our supply chain has always been resilient and boasts a rich diversity of mills from which we source our products,” says Jerry St. Clair, Director of Product Management at UPM.

UPM purchases its materials from only the highest quality mill sources domestically and internationally and is widely recognized as an OEM approved source for raw material going into critical applications like medical. All UPM material meets both standard medical specifications and multiple OEM specifications, so they can easily service the OEM and subcontractors as well.

Another example of this entrepreneurial spirit can be found in how UPM addresses new technologies such as additive manufacturing. As a leading raw material supplier, UPM has taken the opportunity to change how raw materials and build platforms are sourced and managed within the additive sector’s supply chain. Through their division UPM Additive Solutions, they provide end-to-end supply chain solutions for the additive manufacturing industry, from feedstock supply management to finished part manufacturing.

The entrance into the additive sector for UPM started when they proposed a comprehensive solution to one of its major customers, taking over their entire build platform management process. This involved supplying new build platforms, refurbishing used ones after part removal using wire EDM, machining them to high-tolerance smooth finishes, and ensuring precise parallel alignment of the top and bottom surfaces. It implements serialization and creates a closed-loop vendor-managed inventory system for these build platforms. This case exemplifies UPM’s commitment to innovation and problem-solving for customers, particularly within the additive manufacturing industry.

Our supply chain has always been resilient and boasts a rich diversity of mills from which we source our products. We’re not limited to a single source, as we offer a wide array of different products

In addition to additive manufacturing ventures, UPM is expanding its capabilities by introducing a re-rolling mill. This allows it to offer precision thin-gauge materials to a broader customer base.

“This expansion emerged from listening to customers, identifying gaps and challenges in their supply chain, and devising novel solutions to enhance their overall experience,” says Patrick Sprague, Director of Emerging Markets at United Performance Metals.

These instances of customer success always drive UPM to traverse through new avenues of growth, including location expansions.

“Currently, UPM maintains two locations in Asia, one in China’s Hubei province and another in Singapore. Instead of the material embarking on an extensive journey from one continent to another, UPM aspires to establish a more regionally self-contained supply chain. Its strength as a global company, boasting locations in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, equips it with the capability to make this vision a reality,” says Rich Vanatsky, Director of International Business at UPM.

UPM is a global company, with thirteen strategically located facilities, offering custom material solutions tailored to meet their customer’s unique needs. All team members play a crucial role in providing and maintaining a position as a premier specialty metals solutions center.