Supreme Steel is awarded Community Builder at the 2026 NSBA Business Builder Awards
March 28, 2026
We’re proud to share that Supreme Steel has been named the 2026 NSBA Business Builder Award recipient for Community Builder, presented by Nutrien.
This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our teams across Saskatoon, Acheson, Vancouver, and our project sites, whose commitment to community and safety continues to shape the impact we make beyond our projects.
We were also honoured to be named a finalist in the Safe Employer category, reinforcing the importance we place on creating a safe and supportive environment for our people.
Thank you to everyone across Supreme Steel whose work contributes to the communities where we live and build. This award belongs to all of us.
Supreme Steel CEO John Leder Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
September 23, 2025
Supreme Steel is proud to announce that our CEO, John Leder, has been awarded the Acheson Business Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honour recognizes John’s decades of leadership and commitment to both the steel industry and the wider community.
John’s journey is deeply rooted in steel. From his early days fabricating fire escapes to building Supreme Steel into one of Canada’s leading steel fabricators and erectors, his fingerprints are on projects that have shaped skylines and strengthened communities across the country. Colleagues often describe John as a “steel guy who happens to be a successful CEO,” a leader who combines technical expertise with vision and resilience.
Beyond the shop floor and the boardroom, John has always championed community involvement and philanthropy. For over 20 years, he and his family have supported Rehoboth, an organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities, helping launch the annual Hoedown fundraiser. He has consistently emphasized that true success is measured not only in business growth, but also in giving back—whether through charitable support or fostering opportunities for others to thrive.
At Supreme Steel, John has cultivated a culture of responsibility, mentorship, and teamwork. Known for empowering employees to make decisions and grow through experience, he has instilled a sense of family and shared purpose that remains a cornerstone of the company.
The Acheson Business Association’s recognition highlights John’s enduring impact—not just as a business leader, but as a community builder whose influence will extend far beyond his own career.
CBC News: Supreme Steel Responds to Federal Tariff Rollback
August 25, 2025
In a recent CBC News segment, Supreme Steel President and COO, David Fritz, shared his perspective on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminum—part of a broader push to secure a new trade agreement with the United States.
Fritz welcomed the shift in approach but emphasized that counter-tariffs on U.S. steel have already harmed Canadian fabricators. He explained that many key steel products, such as raw steel shapes, cannot be sourced domestically and must be imported from the U.S. Limiting those imports has disrupted operations and forced companies to consider more expensive overseas options, which Canada is now also seeking to restrict.
“The issue for us as fabricators is that there are certain steel products we cannot source domestically. We’ve been buying raw shapes out of the U.S. market,” said Fritz.
He described the Prime Minister’s evolving stance as positive, though “too late” to undo the damage caused by earlier countermeasures, including the now-rescinded Digital Services Tax.
A key theme in Fritz’s comments was the harmful impact of prolonged uncertainty on business planning and investment.
“Uncertainty hurts our ability to plan,” he noted. “We are an agile company. We believe in ourselves and that we can make things happen here in Canada.”
Looking forward, Fritz called for increased domestic demand and better alignment of trade policy to support Canadian steel fabricators and restore market stability.
CTV News: David Fritz Responds to Federal Steel Strategy Announcement
July 18, 2025
As the Canadian government unveiled a major policy shift to restrict foreign steel imports and promote domestic production, Supreme Steel President and CEO David Fritz joined CTV News to weigh in on the implications for the steel fabrication industry.
Fritz welcomed aspects of the announcement—especially support for Canadian innovation and small-to-medium enterprises—but emphasized the need for balance and realism in trade policy. While targeting unfair dumping practices from certain countries is a positive step, he stressed the importance of preserving trusted trade relationships, particularly with the United States.
“Some countries are dumping steel into our market below cost to hurt Canadian fabricators,” Fritz explained. “But others, like the U.S., are strong partners. We need to protect those relationships while standing up to bad actors.”
Fritz expressed optimism about the expansion of federal loan programs, highlighting their potential to help smaller businesses innovate and scale. He praised the Prime Minister’s commitment to Canadian innovation as a smart economic move.
Still, he cautioned that a trade deal with the United States remains paramount.
“There are certain steel products we don’t make in Canada—and for good reason. We rely on the U.S. for those. The best outcome for North America is still free trade.”
Another key component of the announcement was the promise to prioritize Canadian steel for domestic infrastructure projects. Fritz agreed that this could be transformative—if fully realized.
“If this actually happens, it will make a huge difference,” he said. “But if using Canadian supply chains drives up costs so much that projects don’t go ahead at all, then we’re not in a better place.”
As Canada’s steel sector navigates this evolving landscape, Fritz’s balanced and pragmatic take offers a clear message: protect Canadian interests, invest in innovation, but don’t lose sight of the benefits of long-standing trade relationships.
David Fritz Talks Tariffs, Trade, and the Steel Industry on CBC News
July 16, 2025
Supreme Steel’s President and COO, David Fritz, recently appeared on CBC News to share his insights on how ongoing trade policy shifts are affecting Canada’s steel industry. In a conversation with CBC’s Hillary Johnstone, Fritz spoke on behalf of Canadian fabricators as the federal government rescinded the Digital Services Tax, opening the door for renewed trade talks with the United States.
During the interview, Fritz explained how U.S. tariffs have impacted both sides of Supreme Steel’s business: sourcing raw steel shapes from the United States and exporting fabricated steel across the border. He emphasized the complications of having tariffs in place on both imports and exports, creating costly inefficiencies and delays—especially when materials like wide flange beams are unavailable from Canadian producers.
“We’ve enjoyed free trade with the U.S. for over 50 years,” said Fritz. “We truly believe we’re a fantastic trade partner and would like to see things return to the way they were before these tariffs disrupted long-standing relationships.”
Fritz noted that while Supreme has remained resilient—picking up increased domestic work in recent months—uncertainty around trade has created ripple effects across the industry. With Eastern Canadian fabricators facing diminished access to U.S. markets, competition for domestic projects is intensifying.
He also addressed the promise from Prime Minister Mark Carney to eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers by Canada Day, calling it a welcome step but warning of uneven market access.
“We trade quite freely in the West, but accessing Eastern Canada has been a challenge,” said Fritz. “We’re fully supportive of true, Canada-wide barrier-free trade.”
The interview offered a grounded perspective on the realities of international and inter-provincial policy from a leader with deep roots in Canada’s steel sector. As trade talks progress, Supreme Steel—and the broader fabrication industry—will be watching closely.
To learn more about how these developments are affecting steel fabrication in Canada, click here to watch the full CBC interview.
Supreme Steel’s Perspective on the New Trade Measures: David Fritz on CBC News
June 19, 2025
With steel and aluminum tariffs continuing to reshape the Canadian construction landscape, Supreme Steel’s President and COO David Fritz returned to CBC News to weigh in on the federal government’s latest announcement—and what it could mean for Canadian fabricators.
The interview followed comments from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who signaled a proposed quota system and a potential tax hike on American steel imports if Canada and the U.S. can’t reach a deal by July 21. While some see this as a strong negotiating tactic, Fritz emphasized that key questions remain unanswered.
“He’s posturing a little bit, which I understand,” said Fritz. “But the critical piece that’s missing is: how are consumers being helped by this? Rising steel prices are pushing project costs higher. Owners are starting to shelve their projects—and that’s shrinking the pool of work for everyone.”
For Supreme Steel, which has relied on long-standing relationships with U.S. suppliers and customers, this shift in trade policy is more than just a headline—it’s a daily operational concern. The lack of a domestic supplier for wide flange (W-shaped) beams, a critical component in infrastructure projects, forces fabricators like Supreme to look abroad.
“The U.S. has historically been our main option. But the message from the government now is clear: ‘Don’t buy from the U.S. anymore,’” Fritz explained. “That leaves Asia or Europe, but projects don’t always have the lead time needed to source materials from that far away.”
Even when international options are available, they come with trade-offs. “In some cases, overseas steel can be cheaper, but there are concerns about labor standards, material quality, and fair competition,” said Fritz. “We’re happy to compete. We just want a level playing field.”
Despite the challenges, there’s a glimmer of optimism. “What gives us hope,” Fritz added, “is that the government is indicating that negotiations with the U.S. are happening. A fair-trade deal is ultimately what we want.”
Supreme Steel remains committed to navigating this evolving trade environment with resilience and foresight, standing up for our industry while delivering excellence in steel fabrication across North America.
Tariff Retaliation: Supreme Steel’s COO, David Fritz, on CBC News
As Canadian businesses brace for the impact of escalating tariffs, our President and COO David Fritz joined CBC News to speak candidly about how these trade measures are affecting the steel fabrication industry—and what needs to happen next.
During the segment, Fritz emphasized that U.S. tariffs are creating significant pressure on both sides of the border. “About 25% of our revenue comes from the U.S. market,” he explained. “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with customers there, shipping our fabricated steel products south for decades.” But with a 25%—and potentially 50%—tariff now in place, those business ties are at risk.
The challenges don’t stop at sales. Supreme also imports raw steel shapes, including wide flange beams — structural essentials for major projects in Canada—which currently have no domestic substitute. “Right now, we pay a tariff on any wide flange beam we buy from the U.S. That only hurts us. It doesn’t help us compete,” Fritz said.
While Supreme has not had to issue layoffs yet, the company is now navigating a more crowded domestic market. “We’ll be looking for new opportunities here in Canada,” Fritz said, “but we’re not the only ones with that idea. It’s going to get competitive, and the Canadian market may not be large enough to support all of us.”
Rather than sweeping retaliatory measures, Fritz called for a more targeted federal response. “We need exemptions for products we can’t source domestically, and tariffs should focus on fabricated steel products where it makes sense,” he advised. “This needs to be done quickly and with precision.”
Despite the uncertainty, Fritz remains hopeful. “We’ve always seen the U.S. as allies. We’ve built relationships there that go back decades. We’ll take it one day at a time and be ready when things change.”
Supreme Steel stands committed to serving our clients across North America with resilience, innovation and a dedication to quality—no matter the climate.
Supreme Steel: Aerial Work Platform (AWP) and Fall Protection Training
May 27, 2024
At Supreme Steel, safety is our top priority. We are a leading steel fabricator in Western Canada, specializing in structural steel fabrication and installation based primarily in Edmonton and Saskatoon. Our recent training sessions underscore our commitment to maintaining a secure working environment.
We conducted Aerial Work Platform (AWP) training at our Acheson facility. This program ensures that our workers can safely operate aerial work platforms. The training covers topics such as legal requirements, different types of AWPs, hazard identification and safe operating procedures. This knowledge is crucial for our team to perform their duties efficiently and safely.
In addition to AWP training, our workers completed Fall Protection Training. This course is designed to prevent falls from heights, a critical concern in steel fabrication and installation. The training focuses on understanding relevant regulations, identifying potential hazards and correctly using fall protection systems.
At Supreme Steel, we believe that thorough and ongoing safety training is vital for our success as a steel fabricator. We are dedicated to providing our team with the knowledge and tools they need to work safely and effectively in all our projects across Edmonton, Saskatoon, and beyond.
Supreme Steel: Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
May 22, 2024
At Supreme Steel, we are proud of the steps we have taken to become a more environmentally friendly business.
Here are some of the key initiatives and achievements that highlight our commitment to sustainability:
1. Sourcing Raw Materials Domestically
We consistently buy raw materials from North American mills. The North American steel industry is the cleanest and most energy-efficient of the leading steel industries worldwide. This is largely due to the high percentage of steel made from recycling scrap, the use of domestically sourced iron ore pellets, and the increasing use of natural gas in place of coal and coke to produce steel with lower emissions. North America produces a significantly higher portion of its steel from electric arc furnaces (EAFs) compared to global competitors, resulting in lower CO2 emissions. In 2020, 70.6 percent of U.S. steelmaking came from EAFs, compared to just 26.3 percent worldwide. This shift to EAFs helps reduce our carbon footprint and contributes to cleaner steel production.
2. Energy Efficiency Facility Upgrades at Supreme
We have upgraded the lighting in our shops to LED, which is more energy efficient. Additionally, we have installed motion sensor switches to limit unnecessary lighting usage. These changes help us conserve energy and reduce our overall environmental impact.
3. Solvent Recycling
We recently invested in a solvent recycler for our paint shop. This investment not only reduces waste but also ensures that we are reusing materials efficiently, contributing to a circular economy and minimizing our environmental footprint.
4. Meeting Global Emission Reduction Targets
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a globally acknowledged United Nations body in the field of climate science, published a Special Report. This report underscored the urgency of limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5°C within this century to avert catastrophic climate impacts. Achieving this imperative necessitates a worldwide reduction in GHG emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality around 2050. To accomplish this, unwavering action is essential across all sectors, including government, industries, businesses, and individuals, uniting in a shared commitment to mitigate carbon emissions. We are pleased to announce that Supreme Steel met the 45% emission-reduction target early.
5. Environmental Sustainability Program
We have a documented environmental sustainability program which outlines our commitments and initiatives for sustainability and can be found on our company SharePoint site. By implementing these measures, Supreme Steel is leading the way in environmental sustainability within the steel industry. Whether you’re in Saskatoon, Edmonton, or anywhere else, our steel fabrication and steel installation services are now greener and more efficient.
Supreme Announces Business Model and Name Change
October 27, 2020
One of North America’s leading steel solution providers returns to its roots
ACHESON, Alberta, October 27, 2020 – Supreme is proud to announce a major change to our business model and to simultaneously unveil an exciting refresh of our operating name and brand.
Since 1972, we have been transforming landscapes across western Canada and the United States with major projects like the Rainier Tower in Seattle, the Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver and the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, to name a few.
Today we honour our history, returning to the roots set down by company founders John and Sally Leder.
Our company is rolling together the brands Supreme Group, Canron, Midwest Constructors and Supreme Industrial.
Going forward we will be known as Supreme Steel LP.
Along with our brand and name change, our services have been refined.
Supreme Steel will no longer offer large scope general contracting or multi-disciplinary module construction services. Structural steel and bridges have built the company’s foundation as a focused leading steel solution provider, and we are recommitting to these offerings.
Over the past 50 years, our family-run company has developed expertise in fabricating and constructing extraordinary steel projects. From bridges to skyscrapers, maintenance work to plant modifications, and potash headframes to barges Supreme is your complex steel solution provider. Our large facilities and strong geographical diversity allows us to provide these services from coast-to-coast.
Please visit our new website www.supremesteel.com to view our brand story and to read more about our offerings.
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