The stainless steels and nickel alloys it supplies range in size from 6.4mm to 764mm in diameter . “ Our motto is : ‘ If you don ’ t have it , you can ’ t sell it ’, and this has stood us in good stead over the decades ,” Mr Preece explains . “ Our warehouses are fully stocked with around GBP 15 million pounds worth of stock , translating to around 2,400 tonnes of specialist alloys . As each order is processed , replacement stock is immediately ordered . INTOCO ’ s ongoing orders with steel mills with lead times of up to a year account for an extra 30 % of stock incoming at any time . While markets may fluctuate , our customers know they can trust us to deliver what they need , when they need it .”
Worldwide rapid delivery “ We ’ re renowned for rapidly shipping products anywhere in the world ,” adds Mr Johnson . “ Our specialised shipping department ensures products are delivered on time and in perfect condition , protected in top-quality packaging . More than half of our business is outside of the UK , with Europe being our largest geographical market . Following
Brexit , we adapted swiftly to overcome any logistical hiccups and continue to work closely with customers to meet their demands with a minimum of fuss . For example , our products reach customers in mainland Europe within 7-8 working days thanks to the dedication of our logistics team .” Global presence The main markets to which INTOCO supplies steel are the oil and gas industry , followed by the food industry . “ In addition , our high-end alloys go into many demanding industries , often for critical parts and components . Our steel customer base includes very demanding applications , including the petrochemical , valve engineering , sub- sea , wind energy , and pharmaceutical industries .
We also have customers who are aerospacequalified and require some of our materials for that sector .” Demanding Quality Management System Traceability and certification are key to INTOCO ’ s success , and every product can be traced back to the mill that produced it . “ INTOCO has been ISO 9001:2015 certified for many years ,” continues Mr Johnson . “ We work and adhere to a very strict and demanding quality management system ( QMS ), and welcome external audits by clients .” Dedicated members of staff have roles solely focused on ensuring quality and technical expertise at all levels within the company . “ These team members review all certificates and requirements to ensure we are always meeting or exceeding quality requirements . Regular internal audits ensure nothing is overlooked .”
Over the past twenty years , INTOCO has developed and worked to its own stringent specification for all incoming material . “ We adhere very strictly to that specification ,” explains Mr Johnson . “ Some manufacturers are initially surprised by our demands because they are so high , but we expect the best of the best . We consistently monitor our suppliers to ensure they are meeting our expectations .” While the company ’ s accurate stock and order system ensures smooth operations , sometimes simple ideas can provide clever solutions .
Issue 72 PECM 27