Meet Carl Stroud: The Metallurgist Driving Aerospace & Industrial Growth at Niagara Specialty Metals

With more than 30 years of technical, commercial, and leadership experience, Carl Stroud brings a rare combination of metallurgical expertise and customer insight to Niagara Specialty Metals. As Sales Manager, Carl plays a pivotal role in connecting engineers, buyers, and OEMs across aerospace, industrial, and knife/tool steel markets with specialty metals that meet their toughest challenges. His blend of engineering know-how and business acumen makes him a trusted partner for companies that require both precision and practical problem-solving.

Carl Stroud: From Engineering to Sales Leadership

Carl’s career began at the University of Cincinnati, where a chance meeting with the Dean of the Metallurgy program sparked his interest in metallurgical engineering. Initially drawn to the smaller, more specialized program compared to mechanical engineering, Carl discovered the fascinating world of metals—from specialty steels to titanium alloys.

After graduating, he began his career as a Technical Services Engineer at a steel mill, working directly with customers on material applications. His interest in customer interaction led him into regional sales, followed by roles as Product Line Manager, Division Manager, and leader of nickel-grade business development projects. These roles gave Carl the opportunity to work with oil and gas companies, help mills consolidate product portfolios, and secure long-term contracts.

Application-Driven Customer Solutions

At the heart of Carl’s approach is one guiding principle: understand the application first. He believes every project starts with listening to the customer’s needs—whether that’s achieving specific performance properties, meeting cost targets, or solving sourcing challenges.

Carl helps customers eliminate alloys that are unavailable, impractical to manufacture, or too costly for the intended use. His goal is to present solutions that balance technical performance, supply availability, and budget requirements. Sometimes that even means recommending another mill if Niagara isn’t the right fit—a level of honesty that builds lasting trust.

Technical Expertise That Builds Trust

Even after decades in sales, Carl still wears his “technical hat.” Engineers appreciate his ability to ask the right questions and guide them toward materials that work in the real world. Buyers value his skill in bridging technical requirements with commercial realities, helping them avoid pitfalls such as selecting alloys that are no longer produced or that are too difficult to form or heat treat.

This technical-commercial balance is especially important in industries like aerospace and industrial manufacturing, where mistakes can lead to costly delays.

What Sets Niagara Apart

Carl points to Niagara’s unique ability to hot roll, flatten, and process challenging alloys—including knife-grade steels and aerospace alloys—even one piece at a time if needed. The company’s two rolling mills, combined with an employee-owned culture, allow for faster decision-making and more responsive service than large steel mills can offer.

Customers benefit from Niagara’s flexibility, whether they need a small custom order or a larger production run. And because Niagara’s team works closely with manufacturing staff on the shop floor, many process improvements come directly from the people doing the work.

Industry Trends & Opportunities

Carl has witnessed major shifts in the metals industry, including the decline of U.S. tool-steel capacity and the growth of powder metallurgy (PM) grades. He believes PM steels open the door to new levels of performance, offering chemistries and properties not achievable through conventional ingot casting.

For Niagara, opportunities lie in expanding aerospace-grade titanium production, refining existing knife steels, and developing new specialty alloys to meet evolving market demands.

Looking Ahead

Over the next two years, Carl envisions Niagara Specialty Metals building stronger relationships in aerospace, knife steel, and industrial markets. This includes launching improved knife-grade steels and entering new product categories.

“We do what we do, and we do it well,” Carl says. “The key is finding customers who value our abilities and partnering with them for long-term success.” With his track record and passion for metallurgy, Carl Stroud is well-positioned to help Niagara Specialty Metals reach new heights.

We’re proud to be 100% employee-owned and deeply committed to quality.