Tata Steel open UK’s largest plate service centre
New profiling centre increases processing capacity and reduces order and delivery times
TATA Steel, Europe’s second largest steel producers, have opened the UK’s largest profiling centre for steel plate at their Steelpark plant in Wednesfield, West Midlands. The new £3.1 million facility – which marks a step change in Tata Steel’s capability to supply plate cut and finished to exact size, shape and quality specifications – will increase processing capacity by up to 47,000 tonnes per annum.
As well as shortening order and delivery times, the 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 all purchasing.
The profiling centre amalgamates Tata Steel’s plate cutting and machining capabilities into a single facility, providing 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 earthmoving equipment, to large one-off components for construction projects and specialist engineering applications.
Tata Steel have also invested in two new high-definition plasma profiling machines to add to the three machines that they already operate. The new plate service centre will house all five plasma profiling units, as well as two laser profiling machines, two gas profiling machines, five machining centres (two of which are new) and three flattening presses.
Paul Steele (pictured), 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 also 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.’
