TPi January 2008

news business & market

SSC Laser Cutting opens sales branch SSC Laser Cutting, UK, is a subcontract laser cutting company specialising in flat bed, tube and box section laser cutting on a range of materials, including mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The company also provides an in- house CAD service and has press braking and laser quality control scanning facilities. The company produces components for a wide range of industries, including yellow goods, automotive, construction and engineering. Its work ranges from producing small-scale products for individuals and small businesses to acting as a regular supplier for well- established, international organisations. SSC opened its first sales branch in February 2007. SSC North East, located in Sunderland, UK, acts as a base for the region, giving the company a stronger presence in the area and extending its coverage across the UK. The North East branch is initially a sales division supported by the manufacturing facility at the company’s headquarters in Staffordshire.

Photo – Muller Europe Ltd, see page 12

BSS lines up new facility

The BSS Group, UK, sells, markets and distributes heating, plumbing, pipeline, tools, industrial supplies and mechanical services equipment in the UK and Ireland. The group has three divisions: domestic, industrial and specialist. BSS Pipeline and Heating Solutions is part of the Group’s industrial division. The company has opened a new national distribution centre for linear product at CrossPoint BusinessPark, nearCoventry, UK. The new 47,500ft 2 centre represents the company’s single largest investment in distribution since the opening of its Magna Park warehouse in Leicestershire, and will enable BSS to offer a unique service to its current customer base and help to develop into wider markets, including the water, power generation, food and beverage industries. Frank Elkins, managing director, said, “This national distribution centre will dramatically increase our ability to supply linear product to the market. It will give us the capacity to make up to three deliveries per week to our nationwide network of 56 branches, on a lead time of either 24 or 48 hours. This excellent rate of turn around means we can offer our customers a consistent service, on a wider range of product than ever before.”

BSS has traditionally provided linear product and technical support to the building services industry, while servicing a small number of specialist accounts. With its new capabilities, the company is looking to expand its reach to a wider range of industries including water, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, chemical, power, ship building, automotive, dairy and aggregates. Mr Elkins added, “Within our business we have had the specialist knowledge to support these niche markets for many years, but up until now we didn’t have infrastructure in place to support the product requirements.” The new facility has the capacity to store 2,600 bundles of tube, and the stock profile will include all types of linear product, including 1387, API, stainless and plastic. It is serviced by a new fleet of articulated vehicles, and customers will also be offered the facility to collect direct. The facility began trading in August 2007, but was officially opened on 25 September by BSS Group CEO, Gavin Slark.

SSC’s UK sales director Andy Evans (right) welcomes Colin Hewitt, area sales manager North, to the company

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The company plans to install machinery at the North East site as it progresses, giving the branch its own manufacturing capability. The introduction of the North East division represents the first step in a long-term expansion project developed by the company.

BSS – UK reception@bssgroup.com www.bssuk.co.uk

Tube Products International January 2008

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