Company
In 1946 Mr Cecil Brown left his position as Sales Manager with a well
known steel stockholder to start his own company. The business
commenced selling steel from a small bedroom in his house, soon moving
to a small yard at Old Hill, in the heart of the Black Country. This was
soon outgrown and a move to a larger yard in Peartree Lane, Dudley was
required.
In 1952 a larger premises was purchased in Peartree Lane and purpose
built buildings were constructed to accommodate the ever growing
business.
In 1958 the founders oldest son Roy, joined the company and he was
soon followed by his two brothers Graham and Roger. In 1977 his daughter
Susan, joined the ever expanding company.
It was during this period that the company commenced operations in Shearing, Cold Flattening and Flame Cut Profiling.
Most notably in 1969 the company became one of the first independent
Stockholders in the country to install dedicated Heavy Strip Mill
facilities and purchased its first heavy Strip Mill decoiler.
In 1978 the business constructed its current headquarters, "Cochrane
House", a 35,000 sq. metre purpose built Strip Mill processing Centre on
Pedmore Road, Dudley, West Midlands. This was followed in 1979 by the
commissioning of a bespoke Heavy Decoiling Strip Mill plate line with a
capacity of 2000 x 15mm. Soon after two further Strip Mill Decoiling
plate lines were also installed on this site.
The early 1980's saw the purchase of additional premises in Peartree
Lane, and further development took place. It was here that the Profile
Department was re-sited and continued to develop with the introduction
of plasma and laser cutting in the 1990's.
In 1998, the company continued to diversify by commissioning a Multi-strand blanking line located at Cochrane House.
Due to changing market conditions the company consolidated a number
of operations during 2004 and now continues to concentrate its business
in Strip Mill processing, General Steels, Flame Cutting and Laser
Cutting.
November 2005 saw the third generation of the Brown family taking
ownership and control of the company. Since this time the business has
continued to develop and provide the industry with high quality products
and service.