A newly launched Manchester-headquartered independent stockist of metric and ISO stainless steel piping systems is celebrating a successful first quarter performance.
Special Metric Materials (SMM) is heralding its experienced team, strong network of relationships and efficient customer service for its success so far.
With its procurement of a prominent warehouse space in Audenshaw, an expert sales team and a large stock of Metric Tru-Bore® and ISO stainless steel piping and fittings, SMM looks set to have a bright future.
SMM is backed by sister company Special Piping Materials (SPM) – a leading global stockholder of exotic piping, fittings and flanges which is also headquartered in Manchester. It is the first time that the internationally accredited specialist has branched out into a new sector.
SPM has an impressive 33-year history and is an established market leader in the exotic piping industry. It has grown from a single office in Manchester to a global network of seven sales offices and warehouses across five continents and was featured in last year’s Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table.
Metric piping industry specialist Mark Hartley is at the helm of SMM as managing director, with Les and Paul Buckley and Alex Forth from SPM in support.
Founder and CEO of Special Piping Materials and Special Metric Materials, Les Buckley, said: “SPM has always been an ambitious company and our growth over the past three decades is a testament to that. Despite the recent difficulties in the world, we felt like it was the right time to branch out into a new market and identified the potential within the metric and ISO stainless steel piping sector in the UK.
“Our knowledge of the exotic piping world means we were perfectly positioned to pivot into the metric world. Having already established a robust infrastructure, a skilled sales team and strong industry contacts for SMM, we are confident that we are going to make the company a success.”
Managing Director of Special Metric Materials, Mark Hartley, commented: “Having worked in the metric piping world for more than a decade, I am excited about what the future holds. Being an independent and family-owned company means that we can be faster, more efficient and more responsive to the needs of our clients.
“We chose to be headquartered in Manchester as it means we will be able to provide a reliable next-day delivery service across the UK, which is crucial if we are to remain a vital part of the supply chain in the fast-paced industries we are part of.”
SMM has a large and comprehensive stock of standard and bespoke stainless steel pipes, tubes, fittings, flanges and valves that it is supplying to the water, food and drink, chemical, renewable energy, building services and process industries across the UK.
Special Metric Materials is working with a network of reputable stainless steel mills across Europe to ensure that it has access to the highest quality stainless steel tubular and piping products.
In contrast, Special Piping Materials carries an extensive range of piping products in a variety of high-grade exotic materials including Duplex, Super Duplex, 6% Moly and Nickel Alloy. Its products are used across numerous industries worldwide, including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Nuclear, FPSO, LNG and Water Treatment.
