Andy Street, the Metro Mayor for the West Midlands, has today, Wednesday, 6 September, signed the UK Steel Charter that commits to, wherever possible, key projects in the region using UK-made steel.

To celebrate the signing, the Mayor is visiting the newly refurbished site at Oldbury in the West Midlands of steelmaker Marcegaglia to showcase the West Midlands steel sector. As he signed the charter, Andy pressed “go” to launch a new production line.

At least 15 sites in the West Midlands manufacture, process. or handle steel. Following refurbishment of Marcegaglia’s Oldbury site, welded steel tube manufacturing and more will be added to the list, and these will result in more jobs for the local community.

After Marcegaglia UK acquired the Oldbury site in 2021 it instituted a £32 million investment programme, that will create up to 70 more jobs on top of the 175 it currently employs. The upgraded site will be able to manufacture steel products of the type not currently produced in the UK, which will allow more UK-made steel to be used for all kinds of projects.

Overall, 40,000 people are employed directly in the UK steel sector, and 50,000 more in the supply chains. Andy Street plans to challenge construction companies, businesses, and other mayors to investigate the origin of steel they purchase, and whether they are supporting homegrown jobs. He is proving his commitment to this with a huge 860-tonne order by the West Midlands Combined Authority for UK-made steel to be used in the expansion of the West Midlands Metro Rail from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill.

Andy Street, who is also chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “By signing the UK Steel Charter, we’re signalling our commitment to back British steel – supporting well paid and highly skilled manufacturing jobs and training opportunities that will benefit local people right across our region.

“This initiative can help to increase the amount of high quality steel manufactured in Britain and increase the supply of British made steel contributing to key West Midlands projects.

“I very much hope our decision will encourage others to follow suit – impacting positively on the supply chain, our region and indeed the wider UK economy in the months and years ahead.”

Gareth Stace, Director General, UK Steel, said: “We welcome Mayor Street’s pledge to use UK-made steel for his construction projects right across the West Midlands. Mayor Street is already making good on his pledge, by ensuring British produced steel is being used for his celebrated Metro Rail extension.

“All major construction and engineering projects both here in the West Midlands and throughout the UK will reap benefits from purchasing steel that is made, processed, and delivered here in Britian. Why expose your project to the whims of unpredictable global supply chains, when you have the option of a reliable local business to partner with, throughout the lifetime of your project. Using UK steel is quite simply a win-win for everyone.”

Nick Haycock, General Manager, Marcegaglia UK, said: “We are proud to be the UK’s leading providers of precision carbon welded tubes, having been founded over 30 years ago. With year-on-year investment, Marcegaglia UK now produces 110,000 tonnes of welded tubes. With the recent and more substantial investment, Marcegaglia UK is making is a great opportunity for the UK and our local West Midlands region to boost jobs and economic growth as we develop our capacity.

“On top of this, Marcegaglia acquired upstream manufacturing facilities in Sheffield this year. This primary stainless steel making asset is worth several hundreds of millions to the UK economy. The investment in this facility means a return to full capacity of 500,000 tonnes of steel.

“The UK has now become the second most important country for the Marcegaglia Group.

“Producing our steel tubular products here means UK-made steel is supplying national projects like HS2. It is now crucial to create a robust UK industrial strategy to support the competitiveness of the UK steel industry, to preserve and develop production and increase employment, also in view of the export flows requirements.”