Metallurgy - The Industry

Throughout the centuries Britain has been at the forefront of the metal processing industry. From the time of the Industrial Revolution, the engineering skills of the UK have shaped the future of metallurgy and metal production around the World. Initially metal industries were focused on the production of iron and steel, but over the past century they have diversified to encompass the range of non ferrous metals including copper, zinc and aluminium.

An expanding UK market enabled the industry to invest heavily in technology, research and development into new metal production techniques for the manufacture of metals. These processes required new metallurgical equipment, which was developed by the constructors of metallurgical plant based in Britain. Further refinements of this equipment were devised and developed jointly by the plant builders and the operators of the metallurgical plant. Similar developments in other European and North American facilities for metal processing and production ensured that the business grew on an international basis.

The globalization of steel, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals production has now resulted in the skills and engineering expertise of the British constructors of metallurgical plant now serving a market around the world. Construction of new facilities in developing regions or modernisation of existing plant to improve output or to enhance the quality of the product, frequently involves the engineering companies of the UK. In this work they are supported by other companies who are closely associated with this vital technological industry, by providing engineering solutions, installation services, mechanical parts or technology components on a sub-contract basis.

The industrial engineering expertise dating back to the Industrial Revolution has now been developed and applied to metal processing and production technology in the 21st century.