Metals USA Reports Record First Quarter Sales Revenues

Business Wire, April 25, 2005

HOUSTON -- Metals USA, Inc. (Nasdaq:MUSA), a leader in the metals processing and distribution industry, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2005. Net sales for the quarter were $427.6 million, while net income was $17.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share for the quarter. For the year ago quarter, net sales were $319.2 million, and net income was $18.5 million, or $0.91 per diluted share. The primary driving force behind the record sales numbers achieved during the first quarter this year was an increase in average realized sales prices of 52%, offset by a 10% decline in combined shipped tonnage by the Flat Rolled and Plates and Shapes Divisions when compared to the same period last year. Additionally, as a consequence of the changes implemented last year and helped by strong demand in Florida, the Building Products Division delivered their best first quarter results ever.

C. Lourenco Goncalves, President and CEO of Metals USA commented: "We are pleased with our first quarter numbers. Revenue growth was driven by higher metal prices, while margins, as expected, were not as high as last year's first quarter. We have maintained our disciplined approach to sales, walking away from less profitable transactions and expanding our business with our customers toward more value-added service."

Mr. Goncalves continued: "Our first quarter results were good and are a clear demonstration that Metals USA can be profitable even when market conditions are not as favorable as last year. Although we have not seen any indications of metal price increases due to the recent increases in raw material costs to the mills as we had expected, underlying demand remains good, and we expect our second quarter to be another good one."

Metals USA will host a conference call on Monday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. EDT during which Lourenco Goncalves will discuss Metals USA's first quarter 2005 results. You are invited to listen to the live audio broadcast of the conference call over the internet, accessible from the Metals USA web site: www.metalsusa.com. A replay of the call will be available for about 30 days either on the Company's website or by dialing (888) 203-1112 in the U.S. and 719-457-0820 for international service and entering the pass code 9436574.

Metals USA provides a wide range of products and services in the heavy carbon steel, flat-rolled steel, specialty metals, and building products markets. For more information, visit the company's website at www.metalsusa.com. The information contained in this release is limited and the Company encourages interested parties to read the Company's Form 10-K and 10-Qs which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more complete information. Additionally, copies of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission together with press releases and other information investors may find of benefit can be found at the Company's website at www.metalsusa.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors not under the Company's control which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of the Company to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.