Outokumpu, the largest manufacturer and supplier of stainless steel in the UK, is today celebrating the official opening of a £10million state-of-the-art processing and distribution centre in Sheffield, England.

Outokumpu Stainless Distribution, the direct sales function for Outokumpu’s European plants, is opening a Stainless Steel Service Centre that will supply markets in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The new Service Centre will act as the U.K. distribution hub for other Outokumpu plants in Finland, Sweden, and, of course, Sheffield.

The Service Centre fulfils customer orders for a wide variety of products including Cold Rolled Coil/Sheet, Hot Rolled Continuously Produced Plate/Coil, Tubular, Welding, Fittings, and Long Products.

 
The Sheffield site, which will replace the current distribution centre in Oldbury in the West Midlands, has seen more than £4million invested in state-of-the-art processing, polishing and packing equipment. Covering 12,000 square metres and employing 145 people, it will serve more than 500 customers in areas that include building, construction, catering and pharmaceuticals.

Mark Perrins, Managing Director of Outokumpu Stainless Distribution said:

"The decision to move our distribution facilities to Sheffield was brought about by a need to provide efficiencies in transport and a desire to upgrade and invest in plant and machinery. More than a third of our total output will pass through the new Service Centre and the facilities will enable us to not only continue to deliver the highest quality products, but also give us the flexibility to respond more effectively and efficiently to our customers’ needs. Improving our service offering to our customers was the driving reason for investing in the business and investing in Sheffield."

25% of the Oldbury workforce have relocated to Sheffield and retained their positions with Outokumpu Stainless Distribution.

Perrins continued:

"It is a logical step to move our distribution facilities to South Yorkshire. The vast majority of our suppliers to market are Outokumpu plants in the Sheffield area and our largest supplier is only 800 metres from the Service Centre. A train link directly into this site will also lead to further economic and environmental benefits.

"The decision to locate in Sheffield also demonstrates the commitment Outokumpu has to Sheffield and the surrounding areas. Sheffield has always been the heart of steelmaking with a world-wide reputation for quality products, and it is great for the city to see continued investment to maintain Sheffield’s global position in steelmaking."

The site of the new Stainless Steel Service Centre has been unused for 9 years. The facility was formerly used as a Plate Mill by Avesta Sheffield. Outokumpu completed their takeover of AvestaPolarit in Autumn 2002 and formally renamed the AvestaPolarit operations in January 2004.

The new Service Centre will operate two shifts per day, five days per week. It has ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 accreditation and is 33% larger than the Oldbury site.

For further information, images or interviews, please contact:

Mark Perrins
Managing Director
Tel. +44 114 261 3800