Why I’m Not Intimidated by the McNichols Grating Catalog (And You Shouldn’t Be Either)

Let’s Get One Thing Straight: The Size of a Catalog Isn’t a Problem

I’ve heard it a dozen times in online forums and from colleagues: “McNichols has a massive catalog. It’s for big contractors. I don’t have time to wade through that.”

Honestly? I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. In my opinion, a deep product catalog like McNichols’ is a gift for the small buyer—not a barrier.

The way I see it, the problem isn’t the catalog. The problem is the fear of using it. Let me explain.

My First Encounter with the ‘Big Book’

When I took over purchasing in 2021 for a 45-person engineering firm, I inherited a mess. Previous admin bought from whoever called first. We had fabrication scraps in the shop that didn’t match, and I was always hunting for a non-standard size of fiberglass grating for a specific platform.

Our regular supplier at the time—let’s call them ‘Vendor B’—couldn’t help. “Sorry, we don’t stock that.” So I went online and found the McNichols grating catalog. My first reaction was overwhelm. There were pages on pages of welded, swaged, and riveted grating. But I was desperate.

Here’s the thing that changed my mind. Instead of struggling online, I called them. I gave the rep my vague specs. He didn’t scoff. He didn’t say “that’s too small an order” (we only needed 8 pieces). He asked two questions: “What’s the span?” and “What’s the load requirement?” That was it. He pointed me to a specific page in the catalog.

That moment is when I realized: the catalog isn’t a maze; it’s a dictionary when you know the right word.

Argument 1: Small Buyers Need Options, Not a ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Solution

It’s tempting to think that a supplier with fewer SKUs is easier to deal with. But that simplicity is a fallacy in disguise. The ‘simple rule’ that you should only buy from small suppliers with small catalogs ignores the fact that your project specifications are rarely simple.

For a small company like mine, we don’t have a structural engineer on staff. We rely on the product itself to meet safety codes. If you only have one type of grating, you might end up using an over-engineered (and overpriced) product or, worse, an under-engineered one.

McNichols has that range. They have mcnichols eco mesh for lightweight access, heavy-duty steel for a mezzanine, and fiberglass for a chemical plant floor. Having all that in one catalog means I can solve ten different problems without qualifying ten different vendors.

Argument 2: The Service Doesn’t Scale Down Just Because Your Order Does

This is where the ‘small customer’ gripe usually comes in. People think, “If I call, they’ll just ignore me because I only want $200 worth of product.”

I can only speak from my experience, but that hasn’t been the case. In 2022, I needed a custom-fabricated aluminum stair tread—exactly three of them. I called McNichols. The rep helped me navigate the catalog to pick the right pattern and thickness, and then they quoted the custom cut.

Did it cost more per piece than a standard size? Yes. Were the lead times realistic? Yes. Did they treat me like a nuisance? Absolutely not.

I still kick myself for not doing this sooner. If I’d wasted another six months trying to get a local metal shop to fabricate three treads for a price that made sense, we’d still be waiting.

Argument 3: ‘Custom Quotes’ Don’t Have to Be Scary

Another hesitation I hear: “I don’t want to fill out a ‘request a quote’ form because then a salesperson will call me and I’ll feel pressured.” I get it. I hate high-pressure sales too. But requesting a quote from a major industrial supplier (like McNichols) is routine.

So glad I learned this lesson early. Almost went with a scammy online-only company that had a lower price for a similar product. Dodged a bullet when I asked for a spec sheet and they couldn’t provide engineering data. (Ugh, that was close.)

Getting a custom quote from McNichols for a standard product is usually just using their online configurator (it’s pretty good now) or sending a quick email with a drawing. For complex stuff, they help you. They want the sale, but they also want the fit to be right to avoid a return—that’s how they make money.

Addressing the Obvious Objection: ‘What About Price?’

I know the elephant in the room. The perception is that if you go to a “big brand” like McNichols, you pay a premium.

Take this with a grain of salt, but my experience is that the “low price” of a specialized local fabricator often ends up being a total cost trap when you factor in re-dos.

For example, I once priced a perforated metal sheet locally. The quote was 20% lower. But they couldn’t provide a mill cert. My operations manager (who reports to finance) said “no cert, no buy.” I had to re-order. The total cost, including my wasted time, was actually 10% higher. (Note to self: always verify certs first.)

Pricing is volatile these days. I usually look at the listed price in the catalog as a ceiling. As of late 2024, for standard carbon steel grating, you can expect volume discounts. For small quantities, ask for “best price” on the phone. It’s surprising how often they’ll discount a slow-moving stock item just to clear it. (Prices as of October 2024; verify current rates on their site).

Why This Matters Today

If you are a small business owner or a facilities manager at a smaller site, you are often stuck between a rock and a hard place. The local steel yard is too expensive, and the Asian importers have lead times of four months.

McNichols sits in a sweet spot. Their catalog is their strength, not their weakness. The key is not to treat it like an Amazon search bar. Think of it as a reference manual. Use the phone, use the chat.

In my opinion, the people who complain about the “McNichols catalog” are the ones who haven’t learned how to ask the right question. Once you do, you realize the size of the catalog is just proof of their capability.

Small doesn’t mean insignificant. It means you are a potential large client. And a good supplier knows that a detailed catalog is the first tool to help you get there.