British Steel

British Steel is a UK-based steel manufacturer with a complex history marked by nationalization, privatization, and multiple ownership changes. The current iteration of the company was formed in 2016 when Greybull Capital acquired the long products division from Tata Steel Europe for a nominal sum, reviving the historic name. This entity, however, faced financial difficulties and entered compulsory liquidation in May 2019.

In March 2020, Chinese industrial firm Jingye Group acquired British Steel's UK and Dutch assets, saving over 3,000 jobs and promising a significant £1.2 billion investment over the following decade. The acquisition was completed by Jingye Group, a company founded in 1996 and chaired by Li Ganpo, with the aim of modernizing the facilities and returning the business to profitability. Despite these plans, the company has continued to face significant financial headwinds, reporting substantial losses and undergoing debt restructuring. Recent developments in April 2025 saw the UK government intervene through the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, granting it temporary control to prevent the shutdown of the Scunthorpe plant amid concerns over its viability under Jingye's ownership.

The company operates as a producer and seller of long steel products. Its primary manufacturing site is the integrated steelworks in Scunthorpe, supported by rolling mills in Skinningrove and Teesside. British Steel's business model is centered on manufacturing and supplying a wide array of steel products to various industrial sectors. Its client base spans the construction, railway, automotive, engineering, and shipbuilding industries globally. For instance, the company is a critical supplier for the UK's rail network, providing a large portion of its rails, and its structural sections are used in major construction and infrastructure projects, from power stations to airports and commercial buildings.

British Steel's product portfolio is extensive, featuring over 1,450 specifications. Key product categories include structural sections (beams, columns, piles), a comprehensive range of rail products for various network types, specialized profiles for applications like earthmoving equipment and shipbuilding, and high-quality wire rod for the automotive and construction markets. The company also produces semi-finished products such as slabs, blooms, and billets. A unique offering includes custom-designed profiles, where its roll design team collaborates with customers to develop optimal shapes for specific applications, supported by additional processing services like sawing, painting, and fabrication.

Keywords: long steel products, Scunthorpe steelworks, Jingye Group, structural sections, rail manufacturing, special profiles, wire rod, steel fabrication, UK steel industry, Teesside Beam Mill, Skinningrove mill, construction steel, infrastructure projects, automotive steel, steel sleepers, crane rail, steel manufacturing, heavy sections, steel billets, steel blooms, European steel producer