Benteler Distribution Ltd opens its doors to cutting edge equipment

By Benteler Distribution Ltd
schedule28th Aug 12

Leading steel tube stockholder and processor, Benteler Distribution has made substantial investments in new warehouse facilities, equipment and in personnel.  

During 2011 the stainless team, formerly Perchcourt Stainless, along with existing automotive and hydraulic sales teams of Benteler Distribution, moved to a new purpose built facility in the West Midlands after an investment of over £1 million.  Delta Point in West Bromwich is home to Benteler Distribution’s 38,000 square foot warehouse & processing plant.  The new building has enabled an increase in capacity for stocking stainless tube and sections, cylinder tube and chrome bar; in addition to its already vast carbon range.  The location of the facility also has the benefit of facilitating the processing of these products and delivering cut parts to the automotive industry, aiding Benteler Distribution in maintaining the best in quality and service.            

The new warehouse facility is also home to new processing equipment, which has seen a further investment from Benteler Distribution of approximately £2 million.  There has already been a significant investment in a ‘Rattunde ACS102.’  Wayne Bagnall, Regional Sales Manager, explained: “the equipment has end finishing capabilities (facing and chamfering), enabling us to offer an almost finished part to our clients. This is increasingly important in the current economic climate especially in the automotive sector.”  Notably, Benteler are in possession of one of only two machines of its kind in the whole of the UK. The investment has also allowed the purchasing of an ‘RSA Rasacut Multi-cut machine’, which is due to be installed in September, this will complement the other machines already in the range.  Benteler Distribution are hoping to hold an open day during October through Made in the Midlands.  Visitors will be able to view the substantial new facilities and equipment for themselves. 

Benteler Distribution has made impressive investments in staff to increase the branch team significantly over the last few years.  Against a back-drop of economic gloom, Benteler have confidently extended the West Midlands based team from two employees in 2008 to 17 employees in 2012.  The branch now has a full team and has recently appointed employees from some of their leading competitors.  Their present team consists of approximately half operations and half commercial staff.  It is anticipated that growth of the staff team will not stop there.  Wayne Bagnall added: “With a solid platform now firmly in place, a continued increasing rate in sales will allow us to invest again in the future.” 

Furthermore, Benteler Distribution is bringing out new products and has extended their product line to incorporate every product used in producing stainless exhaust systems.  They are only 1 of 3 companies in the UK who can currently provide and process this type of product effectively.   

The West Midlands branch is already growing month by month and Benteler Distribution are making this branch their particular focus in terms of achieving significant growth.  Wayne Bagnall said: “We are looking for 35% growth for the period 2012/ 2013 from both automotive and stainless product sales.”  The branch appear well placed to achieve the growth projections due to the amount of investment made in recent times and due to the small number of competitors they are faced with. 

As one of the largest stockholders and processors of carbon steel tubes in the UK, Benteler Distribution are not taking their success for granted and the West Midlands branch are evidence of the importance of investments in facilities, equipment and personnel to continue success.