Made in the Midlands (MIM) recently sat down with Shearline Steel Strip, a leading UK seller of cold-rolled steel strips. Operations Director Mike Wooldridge talks to MIM about overcoming challenges, the company’s latest successes, sustainability initiatives and future plans for growth.
Based near Birmingham, ‘in the heart of the UK’s manufacturing industry’, Shearline Steel Strip ensures first class products through its parent company Bilstein Group. Despite challenges related to Brexit regulations and disruptions brought on by the 2020 pandemic, Shearline Steel Strip has maintained stability, outperforming many of its competitors over the years.
Mike said: “Brexit and COVID-19 continue to impact the sector. Regulatory changes and logistical complications have made trading with Europe more challenging. There's a noticeable shift of businesses taking operations closer to their European end-users.”
Despite this, SHEARLINE sees potential in electromobility and innovative construction products. Their German parent company, Bilstein, is developing new products for the electric vehicle market and the construction industry, which could be introduced in the UK. Whilst SHEARLINE focuses on the UK market, it strives to increase its market share by outperforming competitors. To help achieve this, the company leverages external consultants to navigate complex regulations and compliance issues efficiently.
On top of achieving sustainability initiatives like ISO 14001 environmental standard, Shearline Steel Strip has also invested in new software for production and energy management, leading to reductions in gas usage and improvements in energy efficiency. The company has greatly reduced their packaging requirements by working with customers and have enhanced their recycling efforts encouraging staff to use recycling bins - reflecting its commitment to environmental responsibility.
SHEARLINE aims to align with its parent company's innovations, particularly in green steels and new construction materials. This strategy ensures the company remains competitive and poised for future growth. By sharing these insights, Shearline Steel Strip aims to contribute to the collective knowledge and best practices within the Made in the Midlands community. The company's approach to sustainability, innovation, and overcoming challenges can serve as a valuable model for other manufacturers in the region.
Find out more about SHEARLINE: https://shearlinesteel.madeinthemidlands.com/