Nox Metals

What do they actually do

Nox Metals runs a customer web portal where manufacturers and job shops submit RFQs or get instant quotes for custom-cut metal. When a quote is accepted, their software turns it into a production job and schedules it on their shop floor, rather than brokering it out company site — quote flow YC profile product writeup.

They operate at least one vertically integrated metals factory in Detroit that handles cutting, packing, and shipping with traceable documentation, supported by on-site operators and factory-deployed software engineers factory operator job post software engineer job. Customers can track certifications and paperwork in the portal, which is positioned to reduce documentation and audit friction LinkedIn cert portal post.

Who are their target customer(s)

• Small/mid-sized machine shops: They need short runs of custom-cut metal and lose time chasing quotes and missing/inconsistent material certifications that can stop shipments. They want predictable lead times and clean paperwork company site YC profile.
• Mid-sized manufacturers running production lines: They require predictable supply of cut-to-size stock; variable lead times and late deliveries cause line downtime and scramble buys YC profile.
• Aerospace and other regulated-industry buyers: They need certified material with traceable documentation and struggle to find fast sources that reliably provide audit-ready certs YC profile cert portal post.
• Prototype/R&D teams: They need quick-turn custom blocks or precision-cut pieces for test builds; manual quoting, high minimums, and long lead times slow iteration company site product writeup.
• Procurement managers at OEMs: They manage many suppliers and want consolidated ordering and clean documentation; reconciling quotes, invoices, and certs across vendors increases admin overhead and risk company site YC profile.

How would they acquire their first 10, 50, and 100 customers

• First 10: Founder-led, hyperlocal pilots around Detroit: waive onboarding, run fast pilot orders, and demo the RFQ→job flow and cert tracking in person or via the live portal to remove paperwork friction and prove lead-time reliability company site cert portal post.
• First 50: Add 1–2 regional sellers/SDRs for targeted outbound to mid-sized shops and manufacturers; convert early pilots into reference calls and case studies, and use low-cost trials/SLAs to win repeat orders. Supplement with local manufacturing meetups and trade events for credibility YC profile product writeup.
• First 100: Pursue channel partnerships with distributors/tooling vendors, begin structured outreach to OEM procurement for supplier approval, and announce added regional capacity or faster-ship SKUs to reduce lead times and win program-level business. Lead with the portal’s cert tracking and early customer proof points, especially for regulated buyers YC profile press coverage.

What is the rough total addressable market

Top-down context:

U.S. metal wholesaling is about $286.2B annually, a practical ceiling for the domestic distributor/service-center spend Nox could eventually touch IBISWorld. North American service centers are estimated near $299.3B, with the Top-50 doing $76.5B in 2023—indicating a very large processed/cut-to-size channel VerticalIQ Metal Center News.

Bottom-up calculation:

Focus on the subset that is small-lot, certified, and quick-turn: assume 5–15% of the ~$200–300B NA service-center market maps to these needs, implying roughly $10–45B/year in near-term addressable spend for Nox’s current offering IBISWorld VerticalIQ Metal Center News.

Assumptions:

• Nox initially targets North American service-center spend, not bulk commodity contracts.
• Small-lot, custom, certified, quick-turn work represents ~5–15% of service-center revenues.
• Average order values and SKU mix are similar to existing processed/cut-to-size channels, not raw mill contracts.

Who are some of their notable competitors

• OnlineMetals: E‑commerce metal supplier offering cut‑to‑size stock and downloadable mill test reports via a portal; strong for small, self‑serve certified orders MTR info.
• Metal Supermarkets: Retail network providing same‑day/next‑day cut‑to‑size pickup; competes on local immediacy for small quantities services.
• Alro Steel: Large service center with broad inventory, processing, next‑day regional delivery, and formal quality systems for certified material quality.
• FastMetals: Marketplace/aggregator sourcing from many service centers with fast quotes and shipping; provides MTRs on request and competes on speed/price FAQ.
• Xometry: Digital manufacturing marketplace with instant quotes, certifications, and finished-part supply; can substitute for buying raw stock for prototype/production needs instant quoting certifications.