Sverdrup Steel takes service to the next level

With a comprehensive stock of high performance alloys in numerous product forms, knowledgeable staff who can advise on grade selection for specific applications, and a logistics organisation that guarantees safe, rapid delivery, Sverdrup Steel has become a supplier of choice for discerning customers worldwide.

Discussing typical customer inquiries, Mr Benson explains that the greater majority are related to project activities. “Customers turn to us when their project involves challenging conditions which require higher alloyed grades. Thanks to our technical understanding and extensive stocks we can discuss appropriate alloys and put together complete package requirements.

Typically, each project delivery encompasses multiple product forms in various grades. Moreover, we can help identify the best fabrication processes and even bring in third-party fabricators on request. This is a real benefit for the customer, as with a single order they receive all the alloy materials required for that specific project as well as beneficial technical insights.”

In-house technical expertise

Thanks to its in-house competencies, Sverdrup Steel can also absorb time-consuming tasks normally performed by clients. Its team of experts includes several metallurgists who assist clients with material selection, failure analysis and recommendations on fabrication, testing, etc. “What distinguishes us is our strong technical ability and metallurgists which do qualification of suppliers to help them choose vendors. We are also one of the few companies who can qualify suppliers for NORSOK, a set of standards to create safety and efficiency in offshore operations,” explains Mats.

The NORSOK standards were developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry many years ago to address problems of safety and cost efficiency, and today cover all offshore energy, including
oil & gas, offshore wind and floating wind. Companies wishing to provide products to that industry must be Norsok qualified to do so. “Sverdrup Steel has the right to do that because we have accredited to do these qualifications. Honestly, we have moved on from simply fulfilling the role of a distributor or trader. We are a solution provider, always looking to identify the optimum solution for our clients. This has been our recipe for growth and has forged strong relationships with both clients and suppliers.”

Now in stock: heat and creep resistant austenitic

Always looking to expand its product range, Sverdrup Steel has just started to stock EN 1.4835 / UNS S30815 / 253 MA in plates (1500 x 3000 mm, 1.5 to 50 mm thick).
According to the company, 253 MA is characterised by:

• Excellent for use in high-temperature applications, up to 1150 deg. C
• High creep strength
• Very good for isothermal and particularly cyclic oxidation

First-class logistics

To further strengthen its project capability, Sverdrup Steel recently invested in a brand-new central warehouse plus extra staff in Denmark. “This state-of-the-art facility will boost our support for project clients,” continues Mr Benson. “The location – in Jutland, central Denmark – was a strategic choice as it offers perfect logistics. Close to European harbours, items can be quickly delivered to the ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam, whilst the multitude of ferries and bridges facilitates access to Nordic and Baltic countries. And we benefit from very good connections to the UK and indeed to practically all project hot-spots around the world.”

With his years of experience, Mr Benson knows all too well the perils that can arise during global logistics activities. Material can suffer damage during transit or be subjected to adverse weather conditions. To ensure Sverdrup Steel’s customers receive products in tip-top order, the company has therefore invested in its own container loading machine.

“Typically, items are sent to the nearest harbour, where a third party agency loads them into a container,” explains Mr Benson. “The operator may not have his full attention on the job, or perhaps it is raining or even snowing that day with parts left on the quay for several hours. Six weeks later the container reaches its destination and only then does anyone discover that the materials are damaged. Looking to prevent such scenarios we invested in our very own container loading machine. Loading takes place in our warehouse in a controlled environment, making the process fast, safe and reliable. Customers therefore have the assurance that zero mistakes will be made during loading which delivers real peace of mind, especially when delays could be costly.”

Seoul office

Sverdrup Steel is definitely making a name for itself on the global scene.

Mr Benson: “Having identified Asia as an interesting location we established a service centre and stocking location in Busan, South Korea, in 2018 and set out to grow our business one step at a time. South Korea benefits from technically advanced industries hence the strong domestic demand for our products and services. Also, the many top-quality material producers active in South Korea facilitates sourcing our own materials. Moreover, Busan is an ideal location logistically-speaking as we can reach China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia within one to three weeks’ time.”

Given the positives of South Korea, Sverdrup Steel recently decided to open an office in Seoul and is currently looking to recruit additional staff. “The EPC companies in South Korea are very active throughout the entire Middle East and Southeast Asian region. We therefore see them as key clients. Especially as we match well in our approach to doing business: in South Korea the prevailing entrepreneurial culture is one of openness and transparency.”
Taking a moment for reflection, Mr Benson confirms that Sverdrup Steel is already supplying high performance alloys to over eighty countries. “The knowledge and experience of using advanced products is no longer restricted to the USA, Europe and parts of Asia. Far from it. We are receiving more and more inquiries from emerging economies. That is why we are keen to expand and serve attractive overseas markets, which was one more reason for building the new warehouse in Denmark.”

Noting that even knowledgeable customers can pose extensive, highly technical questions, Mr Benson comments that Sverdrup Steel’s staff have the skill set to engage with clients on an equal footing. “It is important for us to be able to provide technical information that is both relevant and reliable without always having to revert back to the original manufacturer. That’s why we hire staff who have accumulated plenty of knowledge and experience and are keen to learn more. Being able to discuss technology directly with clients means we can take faster decisions and ensure their projects are kept moving forwards.”

Stainless: a people’s business

As a company, Sverdrup Steel places high value on establishing positive relationships with all stakeholders; that includes clients of course but also the company’s own suppliers.

Mr Benson: “Being transparent with suppliers whilst delivering top-quality service to customers engenders trust and creates strong foundations to continue our growth. From day one, our objective has always been to establish ourselves as a serious actor in the stainless steel business. We are here to create long-term benefits for stakeholders and not simply to grasp at short-term, opportunistic profit. But this is the prevailing attitude in the entire stainless steel sector. I have been in the business for more than twenty years and genuinely believe the stainless steel industry is unique because it truly is a people’s business.”
Sverdrup Steel’s good relations with companies upstream in the supply chain are also beneficial should customers require hard-to-obtain grades or product forms. “Thanks to our extensive network, we can often find quick solutions to meet specific client needs,” confirms Mr Benson.

Facts & Figures

Sustainability

Inevitably, talk turns to the issue of sustainability; a topic that resonates with Sverdrup Steel and many of its clients. Comments Mr Benson: “Clients have become increasingly interested in the carbon footprint of the products they are buying or using. That includes engineering companies and end users but also publicly-funded organisations. I am therefore proud to go on record and state that we were one of the first major companies to place significant stocks of zero-emission stainless steel coils in our own warehouse. These were procured from accredited sources in Europe.” Importantly, those initial coils have since been sold and replenished, thereby acting as a positive indicator for the growing decarbonisation trend. Mr Benson: “Right now there are uncertainties as regards the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM*) but over the years we have seen a general interest turning into real demand for sustainable products. Some companies are even willing to pay a premium for such materials. Rest assured that however demand for green steel fluctuates, Sverdrup Steel will be ready to deliver.” As an aside, Mr Benson notes that stainless steel producers who rely on scrap as the primary raw material are at an advantage in terms of CO₂ reduction. In fact, he further notes that some customers are looking to substitute carbon steel with stainless steel, precisely because the production of carbon steel comes with a much higher CO₂ footprint.

“Yes the initial purchase cost is higher for stainless, but if you run a full life cycle analysis then the lower maintenance bills quickly start to become very significant.”

The challenge, of course, is ensuring that the future project owner is fully aware of the long-term benefits that such alloys can deliver. “Procurement teams may be working to a budget. When appropriate, we will always discuss the life-cycle costs with the actual owner, pointing out the significantly reduced maintenance costs that stainless steel can deliver over a lifespan of ten, twenty or thirty years,” says Mr Benson.

Asked for an example, Mr Benson refers to the increasing number of bridges and gantries that have been fashioned using lean duplex. “Consider Europe, where many towns and cities have multiple footbridges. They have to withstand the harsh climate, as well as the de-icing salt used in the winter. The need for regular inspection, maintenance and repainting comes at a tremendous cost, not to mention the disruption for users. Local authorities are realising that spending taxpayers’ money wisely means investing in infrastructure which will deliver long-term benefits.”

Mr Benson concludes: “We are quite proud of what we are doing and want to share the positive story of recent investments in Denmark and South Korea. With the winning combination of fast logistics, technical knowledge and stocks in depth , Sverdrup Steel is now ready to move up a gear, delivering high-performance alloys with a top service level that will meet customer expectations.”