Business Details
Trusted Steel Construction in Illinois
Metropolitan Steel has built a legacy of excellence in structural steel construction through decades of hands-on expertise and unwavering commitment to quality. Founded on the foundational experience of industry pioneers Hector Caballero and Ron Stone, whose careers spanned over 70 combined years in ironworking, our team carries forward a tradition of precision and safety. Specializing in steel erection, bridge construction, and metal decking, we deliver complex projectsfrom iconic skyscrapers like the Sears Tower to critical infrastructure like the Mile-Long Bridge replacementwhile prioritizing innovation and client collaboration. Our leadership team brings generations of technical knowledge, with decades of experience managing high-profile projects like Amazon fulfillment centers and Chicago-area transit systems.As an AISC Advanced Certified union contractor, we combine skilled craftsmanship with cutting-edge engineering to meet exacting standards across power plants, hospitals, commercial facilities, and transportation networks. Our safety-first culture, demonstrated through rigorous compliance and proactive risk management, has earned trust from partners like Pepper Construction and Walsh Construction. With a workforce of dedicated professionals, including fourth-generation ironworkers and certified engineers, we maintain a relentless focus on project success for clients across Illinois and beyond.
Services
Structural Steel
Metal Decking
Bridge Erection
Pre-Cast Concrete
Steel Erection
Highlights and features
- AISC Advanced Certified union contractor with 80+ years of combined expertise
- Proven safety culture with tie-off compliance and weather risk protocols
- Successfully completed 46 projects with F.H. Paschen since 2006
- 4th-generation ironworking leadership and certified engineers on staff
- Specialized in complex projects requiring 54-hour CTA shutdowns or hoisting
Associations and certifications
- AISC Advanced Certified
- Signatory Contractor to Ironworkers Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT)
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
- MBE Certified
- DBE Certified
What people say
Safety culture
Well-thought-out plans
Highest quality workmanship
Trusted subcontractor
Skilled professionals
Services
Steel Erection
Erecting structural steel frameworks for commercial buildings, hospitals, and industrial facilities. Our union-certified crews utilize advanced rigging techniques and safety protocols to install beams, columns, and trusses with millimeter precision. Projects range from power plants to retail centers requiring complex load-bearing systems.
Bridge Erection
Specializing in bridge steelwork including girder installation, deck placement, and structural reinforcement. Our team executed the 2021 Mile-Long Bridge replacement using custom hoisting solutions while maintaining traffic safety. Services cover highway overpasses, pedestrian bridges, and transit infrastructure across the Midwest.
Metal Decking
Installing corrugated steel decking for concrete floor systems in commercial buildings and parking structures. This critical phase creates composite slabs while providing formwork for reinforced concrete pours. Our crews complete decking packages efficiently to maintain project schedules.
Structural Steel
Comprehensive structural steel solutions from warehouse frames to skyscraper skeletons. We handle connection detailing, column base plates, and beam assemblies per engineering specifications. Our processes meet AISC standards for buildings, industrial facilities, and custom architectural elements.
Pre-Cast Concrete
Precision placement of pre-cast concrete elements including wall panels, floor slabs, and architectural features. This system enables rapid assembly while maintaining structural integrity. Services integrate with steel framing for hospitals, schools, and commercial developments requiring fast-track construction.
People
Tim Caballero
President
Third-generation ironworker leading Metropolitan Steel since 2021. Orchestrated Amazon fulfillment center steel erection and I-294 projects. Focus on family culture and safety protocols.
Ed Smith
Vice President of Sales
20-year veteran managing client pre-planning. Builds realistic timelines for complex projects including UIH Outpatient Surgery Center winter construction. Prioritizes client expectation alignment.
Dave Budzius
Vice President of Operations
12-year construction leader with expertise in project execution. Directed Millennium Park steelwork and ensures quality control across all active bridge and building projects.
Andy Balke
Vice President of Bridge Estimating
Bridge estimating specialist with field engineering background. Designed innovative solutions for challenging projects like the NB Mile Long Bridge replacement.
Brandon Gillentine
Project Manager
Licensed Professional Engineer with bridge construction expertise. Oversees structural upgrades ensuring public infrastructure safety. Combines generational knowledge with modern engineering principles.
Questions
What types of steel projects do you handle?
We specialize in structural steel for commercial buildings, bridge erection, pre-cast concrete systems, and metal decking across Illinois.
Are your crews union-certified?
Yes, we're signatory contractors with Ironworkers Local 1 and 63, with AISC Advanced Certified teams.
How do you handle safety on complex jobs?
We enforce strict tie-off compliance, weather protocols, and 54-hour shutdown planning for transit projects.
What geographic areas do you serve?
Primarily Illinois with expertise in Chicago metro, Will County, and Lake County projects.
Can you manage emergency repairs?
We prioritize planned projects but maintain capacity for urgent structural reinforcement needs.
What's your largest project to date?
The Amazon fulfillment center project involved over 5,000 tons of structural steel and complex scheduling.
