Tata Steel, Europe’s second largest steel producer opens the UK’s largest profiling centre for steel plate

Tata Steel, Europe’s second largest steel producer, has today opened the UK’s largest profiling centre for steel plate at its Steelpark plant at Wednesfield in the West Midlands, increasing processing capacity in the region by up to 50 per cent.

As well as shortening order and delivery times, this investment will offer a range of benefits to customers in the lifting & excavating and construction sectors, including greater consistency of quality and a single point of contact for the purchasing process.

The new centre, which provides a step change in Tata Steel’s capability to supply plate cut and finished to exact size, shape, and quality specifications, is the result of a ú3.1 million investment. Steelpark’s profiling capacity will be increased to 47,000 tonnes per annum. The development amalgamates Tata Steel’s plate cutting and machining capability into a single facility able to offer a comprehensive suite of tailored processing services to meet customers’ specific requirements.

The Profiling Centre transforms steel plate into a multitude of shaped and machined components, from high-volume production runs for off-road vehicle wheels and booms for earth-moving equipment, to large one-off components for construction projects and specialist engineering applications.

As well as bringing together existing technology from other Tata Steel sites into one place at Steelpark, the company has invested in two new high-definition plasma profiling machines, which will reduce lead times and increase responsiveness. The new facility will house:

– Five hi-definition plasma profiling machines (two new)

– Two laser profiling machines

– Two gas profiling machines

– Five machining centres (two new)

– Three flattening presses.

Paul Steele, managing director at Tata Steel Distribution UK and Ireland, said: “Tata Steel’s distribution service is the only one to have both its mill and processing operations in the UK and Ireland. This means not only that we know our products and services inside out, but we can offer customers consistent quality and repeatability. We can work together from the outset to advise customers on specifications for their particular product application, and by tailoring our products and services in this way, are well-placed to meet their needs with a personal and professional service.”

Chris Conway, Director,Ireland, said “Tata Steel Distribution has sales and distribution covering all of the island of Ireland from locations in Lisburn, Dublin and Cork. These locations can service customers directly with long and flat products. The opening of the profiling centre in the West Midlands adds to the capacity and capability that Tata Steel Distribution can sell to customers in Ireland, offering consistent quality and traceability from Tata Steel mills all the way through to the end product.”