INDUSTRY NEWS
Tata Steel orders pickle line scope
ABB has won a Tata Steel order as part of a consortium with steel processing lines and rolling mill supplier, Clecim, to provide automation, electrification and digital technology on the new advanced pickle line at Tata Steel’ s Port Talbot Steelworks in the UK. The new line is expected to be operational in readiness for the start-up of Tata Steel’ s new 3.2-million-ton capacity electric arc furnace( EAF). The order was booked in the first quarter of 2025.
Tata Steel is jointly investing more than £ 1.25 billion at the Welsh plant, inclusive of £ 500 million in UK Government support, with a focus on the decarbonisation of its operations. ABB will commission its technologies by the end of 2027 in time for full operational start-up at Port Talbot by 2028.
“ The new line, including Clecim’ s mechanical and process equipment, will process hot-rolled coils to eliminate oxide scale formed during the steel rolling process, ensuring a clean surface for further processing, improving product quality and enhancing the bonding of coatings or finishes,” said ABB.
ABB will be responsible for automation, leveraging its Roll @ xA digital solution and ABB Ability™ System 800xA ® distributed control system with specific libraries for processing lines. ABB Ability™ System 800xA ® offers the ability to wholly integrate all automation aspects within its environment. ABB will also supply a scope of digital solutions for optimising the new line’ s performance. The system solution has been
Tata Steel’ s visualisation of green steelmaking at Port Talbot.
designed to enable further development, including digitalisation elements such as smart manufacturing, asset management and connected workforce.
“ Our new and advanced pickle line will form a major part of our green steelmaking facility at Port Talbot, ensuring we can supply downstream businesses and customers with the high-quality, low CO₂ steel products society is demanding,” said Rajesh Nair, CEO, Tata Steel UK. n
www. tatasteeluk. com
Pre-Met presses on with QSP acquisition
One of the UK’ s leading metal pressings and stamping specialists has set its sights on growth after sealing its latest strategic acquisition. Pre-Met, which operates from a 50,000 square-foot factory in Redditch, has purchased nearby Quality Springs & Pressings( QSP) in a deal that will help it increase market share in the automotive, construction, environmental and transport markets.
All 16 staff are being retained to take the total workforce to 60, with the transfer of production machinery and equipment to the company’ s Studley Road site being completed over the next three months. The acquisition broadens the group’ s capacity to include more wire form and spring manufacturing expertise, additional presses as well as embedding new robot and manual welding capabilities, as it looks to increase revenues toward its targeted revenue milestone of £ 10 million.
“ This is a very important strategic move for our business and creates a host of exciting opportunities to offer our customers additional manufacturing processes and assemblies all under one roof,” explained James Leng, Managing Director, Pre-Met.“ QSP has a
L-R: James Leng, Martin Haywood, Steve Delaney, Lucie Long and Gerry Dunne of Pre-Met.
fantastic track record and strong client base, which was a major attraction for us, and we will only improve this through the support of our quality accreditation team, technical / design specialists and our comprehensive on-site tooling shop.”
“ This is just the first deal. Over the next twelve months, we’ ll be embarking on an ambitious acquisition drive that will bolt on complementary manufacturing businesses that give us access to new technologies, new markets and new products,” he continued.
Operating from Redditch since 1973, Pre-Met now supplies aerospace, mobility, medtech, construction, electrical and transport sectors, shipping its components to customers across the world. Consistent investment in new technology and workforce development has seen it become a metal pressings and assembly specialist, offering a full product lifecycle from concept and design to prototyping and low-, mediumand high-volume production. The firm can also provide a tool transfer facility for companies looking to shorten supply chains or reshore work back to the UK.
“ QSP’ s parts are relied upon by globally renowned OEMs and first-tier suppliers with operations in the UK and overseas. We are now looking to extend our quality assurance accreditations to support us winning new business in the EU. As part of the deal, director Steve Delaney joins the Pre-Met leadership team to explore business development opportunities and strategic customer relationships,” concluded James Leng. n
www. metalpressings andstampings. co. uk
ISMR June 2025 | ismr. net | 15