Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Mcmaster Carr?

Ramos Sergio
5 min readJan 10, 2023

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McMaster-Carr is a company that supplies a range of supplies and materials for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) to industrial and commercial facilities around the world. They have a catalog with over 555,000 products that include a variety of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and utility hardware. McMaster is known for having a wide selection of products that are not commonly found from a single source.”

mcmaster carr logo

Who owns McMaster Carr?
McMaster-Carr is a privately held company, so it is not publicly traded and its ownership information is not readily available to the public. It was founded in 1901 by John McMaster and Arthur Carr, and it is still run by the McMaster family today.

Is McMaster Carr a manufacturer?
McMaster-Carr is not a manufacturer, but rather a distributor of products from various manufacturers. They offer a wide range of products for industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities, including fasteners, tools, raw materials, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies. They source these products from a variety of manufacturers and then resell them to their customers. They are known for their extensive selection of products and their competitive prices.

How long does shipping take from McMaster-Carr?
The length of time it takes for a shipment from McMaster-Carr to arrive will depend on many factors, including the location of the shipment, the shipping method chosen and any possible delays that may occur.

McMaster-Carr offers a variety of shipping options, including standard ground shipping, expedited shipping, and next-day delivery. Standard ground shipping typically takes 3–5 business days, depending on the distance the package has to travel. Expedited shipping options, such as 2-day or 3-day delivery, can decrease the delivery time, but will usually cost more. Next-day delivery is available for an additional fee and can get your package to you the following business day, provided the order is placed before a certain cut-off time.

It’s also worth noting that shipping times may be longer during busy periods, such as holidays, or if there are unforeseen delays, such as inclement weather or issues with the transportation system.

Does McMaster carr ship internationally?
McMaster-Carr primarily ships within the United States and to US territories. They do not appear to provide international shipping directly. However, it is still possible to order from McMaster-Carr and have the products shipped to an international freight forwarder within the United States, and then have the forwarder arrange for an international shipment to your destination country.

You can contact the customer service representative of McMaster-Carr to check the details, and also know more about the additional cost and shipping options available for international freight forwarding.
It will be also important to be aware of laws, regulations and tariffs on products as well as import restrictions of the target country you’re trying to ship to.

Does McMaster carr sell to individuals?
Yes, McMaster-Carr does sell to individuals. However, their primary customer base is businesses, institutions, and government organizations. They offer a wide range of products for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as well as other industrial and commercial applications. If you are an individual looking to purchase from McMaster-Carr, you can create an account on their website and place an order online. Keep in mind that the minimum order value for most products is $25.

How to order the Mcmaster Carr catalog?
To order a McMaster-Carr catalog, you can follow these steps:

  1. Go to the McMaster-Carr website (www.mcmaster.com).
  2. At the top of the homepage, click on the “Catalogs” tab.
  3. Scroll down to the “Printed Catalogs” section and click on the “Order a Catalog” button.
  4. Fill out the form with your contact and shipping information.
  5. Select the catalog(s) you would like to order from the list. McMaster-Carr offers several different catalogs with products for different industries and applications.
  6. Click on the “Submit” button to place your order.

Keep in mind that McMaster-Carr does not charge for their catalogs, but they do ask that you pay for shipping. The cost of shipping will depend on your location and the number of catalogs you order. You should receive your catalog within a few weeks of placing your order.

Alternatively, you can also view and download digital versions of the McMaster-Carr catalogs on their website without having to place an order. Simply go to the “Catalogs” tab and click on the “View Digital Catalogs” button to access the online versions.

Is there any alternative for McMaster Carr?
Yes, there are many alternative industrial supply companies that offer similar products and services to McMaster-Carr. Some options you might consider include:

RS Components: This is a UK-based distributor of electronic, electrical, and industrial components, with a wide range of products available for purchase online.

Raptor Supplies: This is a UK-based company that supplies a range of industrial and engineering products, including hand and power tools, personal protective equipment, and maintenance supplies. They also source for Mcmaster Carr equivalents, shipping across the UK and offer thousands of US industrial brands.

Grainger: This is a large multinational company that supplies industrial, safety, and construction products. They have a number of branches and distribution centers in the UK.

Screwfix: This company is part of the Kingfisher group and specialized in supplying tools, hardware, and other products for trade professionals. They have a number of retail stores throughout the UK, as well as an online store.

Toolstation: This is another company that supplies tools, hardware, and other products for trade professionals and DIY enthusiasts in the UK. They have a wide range of products available online and through their network of retail stores.

Zoro: This is a US-based industrial supply company that also has a presence in the UK. They offer a wide range of products, including tools, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies.

It is worth noting that many of these companies have trade accounts that offer special pricing and benefits for business customers. You may want to consider contacting local industrial supply stores or distributors in your area as well, to see if they have the products you need.

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Ramos Sergio

Mechanical engineer with experience in design, development, and testing of mechanical systems. Seeking to use my skills to create innovative solutions.