Hart bv – a legacy of trust and reliability, a future of possibilities in nickel alloys

By Joanne McIntyre, Stainless Steel World

For over six decades, Hart has built a strong reputation as a trusted stockholder and master distributor of nickel alloy products. With a focus on the oil & gas and (petro)chemical sectors, the company serves customers worldwide, supplying everything from day-to-day requirements to nickel alloy projects.
In 2023, Hart’s acquisition by a private company came at an ideal moment. Market conditions for high nickel alloys were favourable, and the alignment between the two companies proved seamless. Under new ownership, 2024 became a transformative year: Hart introduced new operational processes, refreshed its branding and marketing, and marked its 60th anniversary. This milestone year has also ushered in a renewed focus on growth.

“This year, our team is focused on sales, expansion, technical expertise, quality knowledge and building inventory – whatever it takes to move us forward,” explains Lizette. “We’re in a strong position, and we start every day with the mindset: what can we do to unburden our customers today? The energy transition is a good example; by ensuring we include the quality materials needed for our customers to expand in this sector, we support both their efforts and global sustainability goals.”

Celebrating the past, ready for the future

Hart’s 60th anniversary in 2024 offered an opportunity for internal reflection and team connection. “It was important to recognise what we’ve achieved, celebrate it, and carry those lessons into the future,” Lizette notes. “Transitioning from a family-owned business to becoming part of a larger group gave us a reason to pause, assess our direction, and support each other through change.” Among the most significant achievements in 2024 was the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and a more secure IT environment.

“The rollout took several months, culminating in a dedicated team joining us onsite for final implementation and training. Their support was outstanding, and we’re pleased to say everything went according to plan.”

With new systems in place, a strong team dynamic, 60 years of quality knowledge and renewed energy, Hart bv is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory, building on its legacy while embracing the opportunities ahead. “A key part of our success over the decades has been our strong relationship with the mills, which continue to support us with outstanding quality products.”

Strengthening international presence

One recent development is Hart b.v.’s stronger presence in the UK, where the company has started stocking pipe in Nickel alloys similar to Holland.

“It’s a mutually beneficial setup: we’re supplying the UK with much-needed materials, and at the same time, sourcing fittings there to ship back to our customers on the continent,” explains Lizette. “We’re working with a partner in the UK who provides warehouse space and additional services such as cutting and packing, which adds real value.”

Since Brexit, Hart b.v. believes that this step will make it easier, quicker, and cheaper to use our Nickel Alloy pipe.

“We see real potential and are optimistic about expanding our footprint there.” This expansion into the UK comes at a strategic moment, as the broader European stainless steel market faces a slowdown. Geopolitical factors such as US tariffs are creating uncertainty and delaying major projects. “The impact is felt across the industry,” Lizette notes.

“However, demand for nickel alloys remains relatively strong, especially for maintenance-related activities. We’ve been through cycles like this before, and we’re well-prepared to weather market fluctuations.”

To strengthen its connections in the Middle East, the Hart team has been expanded with a local sales person to serve customers throughout the region.

Service from the heart

With a maintenance-heavy focus currently shaping the European market, Hart’s responsiveness and readiness have never been more critical. “Speed and reliability are key right now,” Lizette adds. “That’s what customers expect, and that’s what we’re here to deliver.” But listening to customers goes far beyond simply supplying products, she emphasises. “One of our core values is building long-lasting relationships. Whether customers return once a year or once a month, they are all important to us – and we want every interaction to reflect that trust and commitment.”

A strong service philosophy is central to Hart’s identity. “Our goal is to take pressure off our customers – to make their jobs easier. When they work with us, we want the experience to be smooth, reliable, and hassle-free. We often hear: ‘I’m satisfied with that, everything went smoothly.’ That’s the kind of feedback we aim for every time.”

Expanding inventory, Alloy 22, BW fittings, wider size range

Hart’s ability to adapt and thrive in shifting market conditions is grounded in its robust inventory.

The company has a comprehensive stock of nickel alloys, including alloys 200, 201, 400, 600, 625, 825, 22 and C276 in both seamless and welded pipe, bars, fittings and flanges.

The company has further expanded its offering with the addition of Alloy 22 seamless and welded pipes, which are primarily used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Thanks to this broad and growing product range, Hart can respond quickly to customer needs, often shipping orders within 24 hours.

This flexibility has become a hallmark of the company’s service model.

In response to increasing customer demand, Hart also significantly boosted its stock of butt weld fittings over the past year. “We saw a clear gap in the market for nickel alloy butt weld fittings,” explains Lizette. “We’ve now expanded our inventory to close that gap and ensure customers can access the fittings they need without delay. Our goal is to be a reliable, one-stop shop for our clients.”

Investment in warehouse capacity and efficiency

To support its growing inventory and improve overall efficiency, Hart has invested in new warehouse management and storage systems, with further investments planned before the end of 2025.

“In addition to significantly increasing our stocking capacity, the system has created a safer, more comfortable working environment for our staff,” says Lizette. “We visited several facilities to explore our options and determine what would work best for our setup. By reorganising the layout, we’ve gained a lot of extra space both for our current needs and future expansion.”

The warehouse now includes designated open areas specifically designed for assembling large project orders, improving logistics and turnaround times. Workflow has also been optimised. Incoming materials can now be checked at an ergonomic working height, improving both safety and comfort for staff. “The entire system is built with our team in mind,” Lizette notes.

Another investment was made in optimization of vertical storage capacity: “We’re now making even better use of the warehouse height, which has allowed us to increase our stocking levels without sacrificing floor space. Our operations have grown significantly since this warehouse was first built. That means more quality checks, more testing, and a greater need for efficiency—so streamlining our processes was essential.”

Hart’s continued investment is part of a broader strategy to stay at the forefront of the industry.
“As an internationally focused company, we have to keep evolving and pushing forward,” says Lizette. “These upgrades are part of that commitment. We need solid internal systems in place to deliver the level of service our customers expect.”

Project management

With a strong foundation of in-house expertise and years of experience spanning sales, purchasing, quality, and logistics, Hart b.v. is increasingly offering project management support to help clients streamline operations, reduce costs, and avoid common bottlenecks.

“Our sales team has grown in experience, which means we are becoming even stronger in this part of our business”, explains Lizette. “At our core, we’re a master distributor – we focus on the medium-sized nickel alloy only projects, from the first bulk order to the last, very small and quickly required top-up. We work closely with project traders and stockholders, supporting them not only with material supply but also with guidance on specifications, quick delivery, logistics, cutting, bevelling, colour coding, additional PMIs, and more. In short, we aim to unburden our customers and, to a certain extent, even our mills.”

To support this service-driven model, Hart has invested in bevelling equipment, adding flexibility and speed for customers who require quick processing. “It’s a small example of how we’re adapting to meet customer needs more directly and efficiently,” Lizette adds.

One of Hart b.v.’s key strengths is advising clients regarding material availability and the most economical options within the constraints of end-user specifications.

“Let’s say a customer requests 14-inch seamless cold-drawn Alloy 625 pipe. That’s extremely difficult to source and very expensive. In cases like this, we encourage them to double-check with the end-user—do they really need seamless pipe, or could something like clad, hot-worked, or welded pipe be a workable alternative? ”

Interpreting technical specifications is a major part of the job. “Customers really value our experience. We’ve seen a trend across the industry where technical expertise is being replaced by checklists, procedures, and over-specification ‘just in case.’ The paperwork continues to grow, but practical knowledge is becoming increasingly scarce. That’s why the personal touch is so important,” she stresses. “Good communication is key.” “I hope we’ll see a shift back toward deeper technical understanding across the supply chain. There’s no substitute for learning through direct conversations with customers, with suppliers, and by understanding the realities of testing and manufacturing. If you don’t have that knowledge yourself, you need to be able to trust the people you’re working with. And that’s exactly where our team excels.”

“At Hart b.v., we offer more than materials – we share our experience and knowledge.”

About this Featured Story

Appearing in the September 2025 issue of Stainless Steel World Magazine, this Featured Story is just one of many insightful articles we publish. Subscribe today to receive 10 issues a year, available monthly in print and digital formats. – SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR DIGITAL VERSION ARE NOW FREE.

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