A leading international structural steel firm has pledged to make British Steel its primary long-term supplier.
John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) has made a policy decision to use the steelmaker’s products for its wide range of buildings and structures in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
The strengthening of ties is a further boost for British Steel as details of a takeover deal to secure the future of the firm are finalised.
REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd confirmed that British Steel will be the company’s preferred supplier following a two-day visit to Scunthorpe and Teesside. The REIDsteel delegation was also shown steelmaking processes during the trip.
Simon said: “Both our businesses share a strong reputation for quality in British manufacturing and engineering worldwide.
“We have been, and continue to be, a supporter of retaining steelmaking in the UK and we are pleased to confirm that our relationship is now stronger than ever.
“Our congratulations go to all at British Steel on the takeover deal and we look forward to working together to help put UK steelmaking and manufacturing back on the world map where it belongs.”
Simon was joined by commercial director Tim Cook, steel buyer Dave Watmore and production manager Alan Stone.
He added: “The visit to British Steel was a fantastic opportunity for us to see iron ore go through the processes to make steel slabs that then get changed into many different products.
“We saw rail sections being formed as well as standard steel beams that we then take and fabricate in the UK into a whole range of steel structures and export worldwide.”
Ben Cunliffe, British Steel commercial director for construction, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Simon and the delegation from REIDsteel.
“Working more closely together will deliver real benefits for our clients as well as the British steel sector and the wider UK economy as a whole.”
British Steel have been leading a new initiative in conjunction with UK Steel, the ‘UK Steel Charter’ which aims to maximise opportunities for UK steel producers to supply their products and services into Construction and Infrastructure projects.
Simon and the team at REIDsteel have committed to sign the UK Charter to show their ongoing support for the UK steel sector, along with other signatories such as Heathrow, Department for Transport and UK Govt Dept BEIS.
REIDsteel, based in Christchurch, Dorset, with 130 staff, designs, manufactures and erects entire steel buildings worldwide including their cladding and glazing.
The company, which celebrates its centenary this year, has exported to more than 140 countries to date.
Its range of bespoke structures include bridges, hospitals, sports stadia, disaster resilient buildings, defensive structures, churches, schools, industrial & commercial buildings, warehouses and advanced aircraft hangars.
British Steel is a world leader in the production of long steel products – such as steel girders, beams and railway tracks as well as wire used in car tyres and industry – with facilities in the UK and France.
It employs 4,000 people at factories in Scunthorpe and Teesside. Chinese firm Jingye has signed a deal to take over the company after it collapsed in May and has vowed to invest £1.2bn.
Visit https://britishsteel.co.uk/, http://www.reidsteel.com/ and http://jingyesteel.com.cn/about-172.html for more details.
PICTURE CAPTION: British Steel commercial director for construction Ben Cunliffe and REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd