Insight

The Steel Dynamics Group started in 2011 with a vision – to improve service levels in the metals processing industry. Since then, the Group has experienced steady growth, expanding operations and its customer base across the UK, as well as investing in state of the art machinery and technology to improve efficiency and production capacity. 

Today, with a turnover in excess of GB£57 million (€66.5 million) in 2023, as well as the recent inauguration of a state of the art 100,000 square foot (approximately 9,300m²) stainless steel facility – complemented by a separate, dedicated 25,000 square foot carbon steel site, a production facility in Workington and a nuclear machining and apprentice centre – the Steel Dynamics Group is solidifying its position as a prominent player in the UK and European steel market.

The Steel Dynamics Group has been able to achieve this success through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, with the Group now consisting of four businesses that relentlessly work together to reduce costs and to help customers to flourish. Firstly, there is Steel Dynamics UK, the original company and a leading stainless steel stockholder and processor that supplies a range of mainstream stainless steel profiles to complex supply chains. With its top of the range, in-house processing equipment, the company supplies some of the most demanding high integrity applications.

Strategically located in the Walker Industrial Estate in Blackburn, Lancashire, Steel Dynamics UK has over 5,000 tonnes of stainless steel stock from European origin, coupled with a full suite of plasma, laser and waterjet cutting machines, including what the company says is the UK’s largest 14m x 4m waterjet cutting machine – enabling Steel Dynamics UK to produce the parts customers’ require, exactly when they need them.

In 2019, the Group acquired Bornmore Metals, a company that has been delivering premium quality non-ferrous products to customers all over the UK for more than 40 years. Specialising in supplying all-brass metal products, Bornmore Metals also carries a very impressive inventory of non-ferrous metals in all shapes and sizes, available for immediate delivery from the 26,000 square foot modern facility in Blackburn, Lancashire.

As well as offering an extensive stock range of non-ferrous metals to a wide range of markets, Bornmore Metals is also able to offer value added services to all its customers, such as cutting, polishing and coating. In addition, the company’s state of the art CNC bar cutting provides complete accuracy on all metals up to 20 inch diameter, and Bornmore Metals also offers dull polishing and mirror polishing on brass, copper and stainless steel – on a quick turnaround thanks to its new in-house polishing machines.

The next business to be added to the Group was Offshore Stainless Supplies, which was acquired in June 2021. Specialising in stainless steel, duplex, super duplex and nickel alloys, Offshore Stainless Supplies has the ability to cold draw unique long lengths with close tolerance sections, in round, hexagon, rectangular and square sections, for the production of unique products such as valve bodies and fasteners. 

With access to over 3,000 tonnes of stainless steel, duplex and nickel alloy grades, together with recent investments in cold drawing machinery and production facilities, Offshore Stainless Supplies is capable of producing custom lengths of up to 10.8m from rod coils, and up to 14m on its bar-to-bar draw benches. The company also holds 1,500 tonnes of cold drawn sizes on its shelves, rather than being manufactured on a lead time. 

Offshore Stainless Supplies is also a large stockholder of 1.4003 stainless steel and has its own ‘cut to length’ facilities for 1.4003 sheet from coils, for both stock and specific customer orders.

“Whether customers’ require standard sizes or custom specifications, the Offshore Stainless Supplies’ facilities are equipped to fulfil orders of any scale with precision and reliability,” reports Simon Howorth, group marketing manager at Steel Dynamics. “The team at Offshore Stainless Supplies like nothing more than working with our customers to support the engineering challenges they present to them.”

The final business within the Steel Dynamics Group is P&P Non-Ferrous Ltd, which was acquired in December 2021. P&P Non-Ferrous has a proud history of supplying the UK non-ferrous market from its head office in the West Midlands and has a sales and distribution centre in Dorset, as well as dedicated sales offices in Bristol and Essex. 

P&P Non-Ferrous is a specialist in aluminium, brass, bronze, copper and stainless steel – all held in stock and processed to customer requirements. “Whether it is a requirement for full bars, sheets, cut plates or billets, P&P Non-Ferrous will guarantee fast, accurate deliveries at very competitive prices. It has been supplying the industry for 40 years, so it’s rare that it doesn’t have exactly what a customer needs,” explains Simon. “With over 3,000 non-ferrous products in stock, and a dedicated cutting centre, customers are able to get in touch with the experienced team at P&P Non-Ferrous for their next multi-metal requirement.”

Group strategy leads to key investments

Within the last three years, each company in the Steel Dynamics Group has moved into new premises and manufacturing facilities, as well as having received machinery investments in state of the art processing equipment – all with a focus on sustainable UK manufacturing and ensuring machinery and facilities are energy efficient. “The Group’s dedication to continually invest in the latest technology means it has a broader offering of added value processing, finishing and inspection than any other metal service centre in Europe,” states Simon. “At Steel Dynamics Group we offer customers instant access to a comprehensive inventory of non-ferrous metal product lines. The Group strategy is to deliver profitable growth by leveraging our businesses in to emerging markets in the UK and worldwide. That is why the Steel Dynamics Group operates a best practice regime, which means continuous improvement in processes and sustainable manufacturing, quality standards, customer service and new technologies. This consistent investment allows the group businesses to review their cost bases to be lean, efficient and competitive. With recent acquisitions, new premises, investments in capital equipment, and significant stock holding in stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and brass, it’s a great time to talk to the Steel Dynamics Group about what we can offer.”

Standing out from competitors

Extra steps that the Steel Dynamics Group has taken to provide a complete service to customers includes making sure its metal service centre is ISO 19443 accredited – making it the world’s only metal service centre to have received such an accreditation – reinforcing its position as one of the leading suppliers of stainless steel to the nuclear industry. “ISO 19443 is a quality management standard for the nuclear industry and our accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality and health & safety, as well as providing customers with complete reassurance that all their materials meet the highest possible standards,” underlines Simon. 

Earlier this year, Offshore Stainless Supplies also received the NORSOK approval to produce UNS 32760 super duplex strain hardened bars for fasteners to MDS D59/D59L Rev 3. The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure adequate safety, value adding and cost effectiveness for petroleum industry developments and operations.

“Obtaining the NORSOK accreditation is a significant achievement for Offshore Stainless Supplies and could be a potential game changer in the industry,” explains Simon. “It opens doors to high-value projects in the oil and gas sector – where adherence to strict quality and performance standards is paramount, especially projects that require NORSOK approved materials – giving us access to lucrative opportunities.”

Simon continues: “Being the sole UK manufacturer with NORSOK accreditation for producing UNS 32760 super duplex strain hardened cold drawn bars not only enhances the company’s reputation within the industry, but it is also a great opportunity to target international markets where NORSOK compliance is required or preferred, thereby broadening our customer base and revenue streams. Furthermore, Offshore Stainless Supplies is the only UK company that can cold draw stainless steel, super duplex and nickel alloy bars above 2.5 inch diameter. In fact, we have the capability to draw from up to 4 inch diameter due to the size and power of our draw benches.”

Offshore Stainless Supplies has also implemented a lot of changes over the last few months, particularly in the manufacturing facility, where it has made a number of efficiencies and process improvements to increase its production capacity. “Our cutting edge technology, skilled workforce and advanced infrastructure allows Offshore Stainless Supplies to efficiently cold draw large volumes of materials, ensuring seamless operations and enabling the company to respond swiftly to customer demands,” concludes Simon.