Banana Metals Launches to Disrupt Aluminum Supply for CNC Machinists

RENO, Nev. – January 13, 2026 – A new online supplier, Banana Metals, officially launched today with a clear mission: to eliminate the perennial headaches of sourcing small-batch aluminum for CNC machinists, hobbyists, and engineers. Operating out of Reno, Nevada, the SendCutSend subsidiary is offering pre-cut 6061-T6511 aluminum blocks and extrusions with a promise of speed and convenience that directly challenges the traditional metal supply industry.

The company's value proposition is built on addressing common industry frustrations. By leveraging advanced automated bandsaws, Banana Metals provides dozens of stock sizes of the popular 6061 aluminum alloy, with orders placed before 3 p.m. PST shipping the same business day. This focus on rapid fulfillment, combined with a lack of high minimum order quantities and free shipping on orders over $29, aims to make high-quality material accessible for projects of any scale.

"Our goal is to make buying metal feel easy again," said Jim Belosic, CEO, in the official announcement. "If you are running a shop, teaching students, or learning on your own machine, you should not have to overbuy material or wait weeks to get started. We are cutting, packing, and shipping blocks all day so people can keep their spindles turning."

Confronting a Fragmented Market

For years, the target audience for Banana Metals—small-to-medium CNC shops, prototyping engineers, and the growing community of home-based machinists—has navigated a difficult landscape for raw materials. Sourcing small quantities of specific alloys like 6061-T6511 often means choosing between several imperfect options.

Large industrial distributors typically cater to bulk orders, imposing high minimum purchase requirements that are impractical for a one-off prototype or a small production run. This forces smaller buyers to either over-purchase material, tying up capital and storage space, or be turned away entirely. On the other end of the spectrum are online retailers like McMaster-Carr or OnlineMetals.com, which offer convenience and a wide selection but often at a premium price point. While they serve an essential role, their pricing can be prohibitive for budget-conscious projects.

Many machinists resort to scouring local metal yards for off-cuts or browsing eBay for remnants, a process that sacrifices consistency, traceability, and speed. Banana Metals enters this environment by positioning itself as a reliable middle ground, offering the ease of e-commerce with a focused inventory that enables operational efficiency and rapid delivery.

The SendCutSend Synergy

The credibility of Banana Metals' ambitious promises is significantly bolstered by its parent company, SendCutSend. Also based in Reno and led by CEO Jim Belosic, SendCutSend has established itself as a leader in the on-demand custom manufacturing space, providing services like laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and CNC machining with famously fast turnaround times. The company was founded on a similar principle: simplifying access to industrial-grade manufacturing for everyone.

This connection is more than just a shared logo. It represents a synergy of infrastructure, logistics, and philosophy. SendCutSend has built its reputation on a highly optimized, software-driven workflow that processes thousands of unique custom parts efficiently. Banana Metals is poised to leverage this same operational DNA, applying it to the stocking and distribution of raw materials. The shared leadership and physical proximity suggest a deeply integrated strategy, where the expertise in rapid fulfillment for custom parts is now being directed at the raw material itself. This backing provides a strong foundation of trust for customers who may be skeptical of yet another online supplier.

A Fresh Peel on Branding and Sustainability

In a market often characterized by stark, industrial aesthetics, Banana Metals is cultivating a distinct and memorable brand identity. Its playful "Official Banana for Scale" marketing, which uses the fruit in product photography, provides a relatable sense of size for its aluminum blocks—a simple but effective way to connect with a diverse user base.

Beyond the quirky branding, the company is introducing innovative value propositions. The press release teases the future availability of "Bruised Blocks" and "Bunches" at significant discounts. This concept, likely referring to cosmetically imperfect or remnant pieces, is a savvy move. It not only creates a cost-effective option for students, hobbyists, or applications where surface finish is not critical, but it also addresses the issue of material waste. By creating a market for these less-than-perfect pieces, the company can improve resource efficiency, a principle that resonates with both sustainability goals and the frugal mindset of many makers.

This approach is complemented by a commitment to transparent sourcing. All aluminum is procured from North American mills in the U.S. and Canada, with material certifications available upon request. This provides a crucial assurance of quality and traceability that is often absent when sourcing from less formal channels, giving customers confidence in the material's integrity and specifications.

The Digital Transformation of Industrial Supply

The launch of Banana Metals is indicative of a broader trend: the ongoing e-commerce transformation of B2B supply chains. For decades, industrial procurement has been a slow, relationship-based process involving quotes, purchase orders, and long lead times. Specialized, digital-first companies are now demonstrating that the principles of consumer e-commerce—speed, transparency, and user experience—can be successfully applied to industrial markets.

By focusing on a specific, high-demand niche like 6061 aluminum, Banana Metals can offer a level of specialization and service that larger, more generalized suppliers struggle to match. This targeted approach allows for optimized inventory, expert customer support, and a streamlined purchasing process tailored to the specific needs of its core audience. The company is betting that for a significant portion of the market, the ability to get the right material, in the right amount, delivered tomorrow, is a more powerful value proposition than having access to an encyclopedic but slow-moving catalog. The true test will be whether this model can scale while maintaining the speed and accessibility that form the core of its appeal, potentially reshaping a segment of the industrial supply chain for years to come.