Basic Metals, Inc. began in 1980 as a division of Components International Ltd. Don Fogel was hired as the first and only employee. His first investment was a 36 inch Paxton slitter and the hiring of BMI's second employee to operate the slitter.

In 1983, Todd Fogel, Don's son joined the company and BMI's business in metals began to take shape. Two years later, Don and Todd purchased the assets of BMI from Components International to become sole owners of Basic Metals. That same year BMI moved to Germantown, Wisconsin where they leased 6000 square feet of space in a multi-tenant building to expand their operations.

Over the next 10 years, they continued to grow entering the aluminum circle business, installing a 60 inch C-T-L line and a 12' shear to increase their penetration and provide their customers with expand sheet and coil offerings. This growth required the construction of a 36,000 square foot facility in July 1995 to accomodate their customers and requirements.

In late 1998, the 72 inch Red Bud C-T-L line was installed and by Spring 1999, Todd Fogel bought out Don Fogel to became the sole owner of Basic Metals, Inc.