ROLL & HOLD WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION EXPANDS METALS DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN ELDRIDGE, IA Click here for printer friendly version Homewood, IL  - Alternative Distribution Systems, Inc. announces the opening of expanded metals distribution services at its Roll & Hold facility in Eldridge, IA.  The expansion more than doubles Roll & Hold's warehouse capacity at this facility and provides space for a co-located toll processing line operated by Flat Rock Metals that will open later this year. The newly expanded 160,000 square foot facility, equipped with heat and humidity controls, is designed to handle high-value Class-1 product and JIT distribution services for the appliance, office furniture and farm implement manufacturers in this area.  Roll & Hold opened in the Quad Cities in 1991 in response to customer requests for distribution services west of the Mississippi River.  They began discussions with Flat Rock in late 2000 knowing that manufacturers would gain significant transportation benefits by taking advantage of moving large, heavy coils the maximum distance by rail, then processing the material close to the consumer. "Co-locating steel warehousing and toll processing shortens the supply chain through elimination of at least one transportation link between the mill and these consuming groups which typically utilize smaller coil sizes in their manufacturing process," states Kent Robbins, vice president, Roll & Hold. Flat Rock's slitting and inspection line will be capable of processing large coils; up to 100,000 pounds in widths up to 80 inches, and is the second processing operation situated within a Roll & Hold facility, the other being in Portage, IN.  The slitting and inspection line will be capable of handling a diverse product mix but will focus on cold rolled, zinc coated and pre-painted steel products utilized in appliance and office furniture, where slitting and shape enhancements are critical.  The line, like the one in Portage, was manufactured by the Stamco Division of Gen Systems. Roll & Hold provides warehousing, distribution and just-in-time delivery programs through its national network of purpose-designed truck and rail served facilities.  Roll & Hold is a subsidiary of Alternative Distribution Systems, Inc. a national provider of third party logistics services specializing in integrated transportation, distribution and management services to the metals industry.  www.adslogistics.com Flat Rock Metal conducts multi-blanking and polishing operations in Flat Rock, MI and operates Bar Processing Corporation at five locations in Illinois, Michigan an Ohio.  The Flat Rock Metal slitting operation co-located at Roll & Hold's Eldridge facility is part of Flat Rock Metal Processing, LLC.  All of Flat Rock's operations operate solely as processors and are not involved in metals sales or distribution.  www.frm.com For more information contact Dawn Thrasher, Director - Communications and Public Relations, Alternative Distribution Systems, Inc. (708) 922-2024, dthrasher@adslogistics.com.