Sweden’s Harald Pihl has acquired two European branches of the USA’s ATI, one in the UK, and the other in Germany. The move expands the company’s inventory capacity and product portfolio, as well as strengthening its processing capabilities.
New developments, new products, new markets, and continuous growth have been key features of Harald Pihl since its very beginnings in 1912. Starting out as a small trading company based in the home of the eponymous founder, the company focused initially on the import of metals and alloys in short supply in Sweden, as well as on some processed material such as bar and wire. Over the following years, the company expanded into nickel and other metals, and additional product forms including pipe and sheet.
A major turning point was reached when the company subsequently entered the stockholding business, and grew following acquisitions and expansions outside of Sweden, including, for example, in Finland, Denmark and Germany. New products followed, such as the addition of titanium, not least as a result of the acquisition of Germany’s THG Titan Halbzeug.
A new era for the company began as yet another generation of the Pihl family, Jonas and Carl Pihl, took over the reins in 2017. From that time on, the focus was on increasing the volume of material handled, whilst placing more and more emphasis on quality.
Today, Harald Pihl is one of the largest distributors of specialty alloys in Europe, both in terms of the product forms supplied and stocked, which include tubular products, sheet and plate, round bars and welding consumables, and grades, which cover a wide range of nickel and nickel-based alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, and copper alloys.
Industry sectors supplied include plant and equipment, mechanical engineering, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, medical, pumps and valves, nuclear power, steel construction, motor sport, turbine construction, the automotive industry, and not least aerospace. The importance of the aerospace sector for Harald Pihl partially explains why so much emphasis continues to be placed on the need to meet the very highest quality standards. Quality failures in this sector are simply not acceptable, the company says.
Processing and digitalisation
The extensive range of materials and product forms held in its large inventories ensure that material can be supplied to customers very quickly indeed. During an earlier conversation with managing director Jonas Pihl, he told Stainless Steel Focus that he firmly believed that his company was the fastest supplier in Europe, and managed to maintain fast delivery schedules even during the supply chain disruptions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Continuous investments in the area of processing equipment, including decoiling, waterjet cutting, and a wide range of shears and band saws, allowing the company to supply material tailored to the precise needs of customers, have contributed to the fast delivery times, as have, for example, the advances made by the company in the area of digitalisation.
Acquisition of Allegheny Technologies Ltd and Allegheny Technologies GmbH
The latest developments at Harald Pihl, the acquisition of Allegheny Technologies Ltd in the UK, and Allegheny Technologies GmbH in Germany, constitute a major milestone in the expansion of the company. For the Harald Pihl Group, the move would appear to tick all the right boxes.
It strengthens the Group’s presence in Europe, it brings it closer to existing and new customers, it expands its inventory, and its product portfolio, and enhances its processing capabilities. This translates into fast and reliable deliveries, quality products, and the ability to offer comprehensive solutions. This means more added value for customers, more customers, and not least more growth – key strategic aims of the Harald Pihl Group.
Harald Pihl Ltd, Harald Pihl Speciality Metals GmbH
Following its acquisition by Harald Pihl, the Allegheny Technologies operation in Birmingham in the UK has now been renamed Harald Pihl Ltd. It brings into the Harald Pihl Group a 3,300sq metre warehouse, with waterjet cutting, 2 CNC 5-axis machining units, 2 Kasto bar saws, laserjet cutting, and advanced measuring equipment.
The German operation of Allegheny Technologies based in Remscheid, Germany, will now be known as Harald Pihl Speciality Metals GmbH. It adds a 3,100sq metre warehouse, with three plate saws, waterjet cutting, and 2 Kasto bar saws, to the Harald Pihl Group.
These new facilities and capabilities will, the company says, further improve its ability to meet customers’ project requirements, guaranteeing the highest quality, and even shorter lead times.
