Leading the charge in a transforming industry

The past year has presented undeniable challenges for the construction sector, but Barrett Steel says it refuses to stand still in an ever-changing industry.

Barrett Steel says that its extensive experience has taught the company that resilience and innovation are key to navigating industry shifts, and as we progress through 2025, a positive upturn for construction is anticipated, driven by advancements in AI, digital transformation, and an ever-stronger commitment to sustainability.

As Steel for Life Headline Sponsor once again, Barrett Steel remains dedicated to supporting the sector through these evolving demands. Central to this is its Barrett Green Solutions carbon reporting platform, which continues to provide greater transparency on embodied carbon across the supply chain, enabling our customers to make informed, sustainable choices.

In addition to our ongoing efforts to decarbonise our whole-of-market offering, we confirmed our market leading position in the supply of premium recycled and renewably produced material with an embodied carbon footprint of less than 400kg CO₂ per tonne of steel to projects across the UK and Ireland.

Throughout 2024, we supplied more than 12,000 tonnes of recycled and renewable material and already in 2025, this success has continued to build, with the completion of a single project containing a further 8,000 tonnes. A significant portion of these 8,000 tonnes benefitted from advanced added value processing, including cambering of beams, helping to reduce construction timeframes and improve project delivery.

Additionally, we are committed to equipping our customers with knowledge and tools to navigate industry changes. In 2024, we hosted our first webinar on Decarbonisation and CBAM Legislation for our customers in Ireland, and as we move through 2025, we are excited to roll out a wider programme of similar content across our UK network.

Moving beyond our environmental focus, the latter part of 2024 saw substantial in-house developments at our operational sites in Scunthorpe. The addition of our HGG RPC 1200 Plasma Coping Robot at our Central Processing Hub enhances our ability to offer fully processed general steel products for large structural sections. This advanced plasma coping line allows us to deliver a range of services, including notching, service holes, part marking, slotting, haunch splitting, and compound bevels, all processed seamlessly from NC1 or STEP files. If it can be drawn, it can be coped on our line. By significantly reducing the time required to process sections through fabrication, this machine enables faster project delivery, handling both large structural sections and high-volume, time-sensitive components with ease. This investment underscores our commitment to helping clients increase efficiency and throughput by streamlining complex tasks in-house.

Also, in Scunthorpe our Barrett Central Distribution Tubes Hub has seen further investment to secure additional land at our Brigg Road location. This move will double the stock held at our dedicated Hot and Cold Formed Hollow section hub. This expansion strengthens our warehousing capabilities and ensures increased availability of essential materials for the industry. Complementing this, our specialist Dudley Laser Processing Centre is set to further enhance industry support with the addition of a new LT8 Fibre Laser coming online this month, reinforcing our ability to meet increasing demand.

Meanwhile, our Rotherham Centre of Excellence continues to deliver complete processing solutions with Profiles and Angle Lines on one site providing a comprehensive package of fittings to support the construction sector. When combined with our extensive stockholding, advanced processing capabilities, and commitment to embodied carbon transparency, Barrett Steel is a true one-stop supplier for all project needs.

At Barrett Steel, we are not just responding to change; we are driving it. With a forward-thinking approach, we continue to shape the future of steel supply, supporting our customers and the wider industry as we embrace a more digital, efficient, and sustainable era of construction. Whatever challenges the industry faces next, we are here to help deliver solutions.

Barrett Steel
is a Headline sponsor of
Steel for Life