New name in speciality steels

A Sandvik Materials Technology UK product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 10, 2003

Sandvik is intensifying its focus on high-value-added products and has reorganised its speciality steels business.

Sandvik is intensifying its focus on high-value-added products.

As part of this effort, the organisational structure within the Sandvik Specialty Steels business area is being changed, with effect from 1st January 2003.

In line with the ongoing shift in the business area's focus, it has been decided to change the name to Sandvik Materials Technology.

Peter Gossas, currently president of Sandvik Steel, has been appointed president of the new business area.

Under the new organisation, the Sandvik Steel business area no longer exists.

Sandvik Materials Technology will comprise five product areas: tube, strip, wire, kanthal and process systems.

Overall, the business area has about 8000 employees and annual sales of approximately SEK 14,500 million.

The tube product area specialises in seamless and welded tubes, fittings and flanges and is a world leader in tubular products made from advanced metals and special stainless steel alloys.

Key markets include the chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, power, electronics and many other industries where corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and reliability of operation are critical.

The product area also markets complementary sheet and plate.

Also included in the tube product area are stainless steels for machining.

For many years, Sandvik has pioneered their development, working alongside sister company, Sandvik Coromant, a world leader in machining tools.

Other tube products are alloys of nickel, titanium and zirconium for advanced applications, such as nuclear power and aerospace.

The strip product area manufacturers and supplies precision strip steel in high and special alloy grades for niche applications ranging from razor blades, medical instruments, springs, domestic and industrial knives to strip for catalytic converters, compressor flapper valves and photochemical machining.

Wire product area produces precision wire, profiles, spring wire and welding products in a range of stainless and high alloy steel grades.

Many are developed specially for particular applications in the automotive, oil and gas, electronics and medical industries.

Kanthal develops and manufacturers metal and ceramic resistance materials in the form of wire, strip, elements and systems for electrical heating in household appliances, industrial furnaces and processing equipment.

It also provides customised solutions to consumer product and industrial heating problems.

Process systems supplies steel belts, press plates and associated equipment, such as machinery parts or complete machinery systems.

It is particularly involved in the sorting, chemical, wood based panels and food industries.

Gossas says, "The aim of the new organisation and the name change is to highlight our role as a high-technology, co-operation partner within the field of materials technology and to strengthen our leading position within advanced materials and high value-added products, developed in close co-operation with our customers".