Demands to shorten supply chains prompts change of direction for metalweb

DEMANDS by leading automotive and aerospace manufacturers to shorten their supply chains have prompted a Midlands steel firm to change its operating strategy.

Steel supplier metalweb acted after customers told the business they were increasingly looking to reduce the number of firms they used to simplify their supply chain operations.

The Birmingham-based firm, which has added direct-line-feed, knitting and sub-contract management to its service provision, said the change of approach was indicative of a need for multi-product supply lines.

Consequently it has widened its offering to include non-aluminium products. Its current focus is based around 17/4 PH, 15/5 PH and 13/8 PH bronze alloys and a range of nickel-based alloys.

Bruce Maggs, metalweb’s managing director, said there were real opportunities in steel, yellow metals and nickel-based alloys.

“We anticipate that at over the next two years, at least a third of our sales will come from non-aluminium products,” he said.

“Our in-depth industry analysis shows that growth opportunities exist in the fields of aerospace and automotive which we are already active in, along with oil and gas and hi tech industries such as medical which are also growing markets. Widening our product offering is yet another string to our bow and we are excited with the opportunities this diversification will bring.”

metalweb stocks a range of aluminium products in all alloys, including plate, sheet, bar, tube and other extruded products. The products are destined for manufacturers and their sub-contractors for use in high technology applications where product integrity is critical.