Ipswich, Mass.-based United Pipe & Steel Corp., recently announced its 12^th distribution center is open for business in Stockton, Calif.

The new distribution center will bring to the Northern California market the company’s pioneering service model of route-based delivery of less-than-truckload (LTL) pipe products for the plumbing, heating, refrigeration, waterworks, PVF, HVAC, electrical and other industry segments, United noted.

The expansion into Northern California marks a big step for United Pipe & Steel’s continuing goal of providing service to wholesalers across the United States, the company added.

“There continues to be tremendous demand for our business model, which gives wholesalers the ability to reduce their commodity exposure and lower their inventory levels, while always having the product they need to service customers,” explained Greg Leidner, United Pipe president and CEO. “For business owners, this model provides tangible benefits to the bottom line.”

To meet the demands of the Northern California market, United Pipe provides:

• Scheduled delivery routes with weekly servicing of Northern California markets, including the Sacramento, Redding, San Francisco, San Jose, Salinas and Fresno areas.

• A fleet of trucks and drivers who will help offload a distributor’s mix-and-matched orders of steel pipe, copper tube, PVC pipe, metal conduit, PVC conduit, strut or threaded rod at the warehouse or jobsite.

• A dedicated sales team with outside representatives based on the West Coast and a supporting inside sales team always just a call away.