Global steel and engineering business, Liberty Industries Group, part of the GFG Alliance, has appointed international commercial and manufacturing executive, Rob Sweetnam, as managing director of its Hub le Bas distribution subsidiary, part of the Liberty’s Steel Distribution arm, as the business continues to roll out its ambitious growth plans in the UK.

Hub le Bas is a major UK stockist and distributor of steel products for a range of industrial and commercial applications, especially in the precision tube sector. The firm, which has five branches across the UK, was acquired by the Liberty House Group in Dec 2015 as part of its strategy to create an integrated end-to-end business ranging from liquid steel-making through to the production and marketing of steel products and advanced engineering components to OEM customers.

South African born Mr Sweetnam previously led what is now Liberty’s Precision Tube manufacturing unit in Oldbury, West Midlands before joining Hub le Bas. Prior to that he held senior commercial and manufacturing management roles at TMD Friction, Bosal Africa, Bosal UK and Bosal International NV, where he was Group Commercial Director, based in Belgium and responsible for all of Bosal’s European aftermarket commercial functions. Bosal is a global player in exhaust and tubular products for the automotive and general industrial market.

Commenting on the new appointment he said: “This is an exciting time for the business with many new opportunities for this restructured operation. There are many natural synergies between Liberty’s manufacturing capabilities and our well-established routes to market in the United Kingdom, and by combining the global  footprint and purchasing power of the Liberty House Group with our close relationships with the customers, Hub le Bas has an unrivalled competitive advantage in the market place.”

Chief Executive of Liberty Industries Group, Douglas Dawson said: “Rob has a wealth of experience in the international tubing industry. This gives him a clear line of sight to the objectives and ambitions we have for our steel distribution business, in which Hub Le Bas plays a major role. His time in our Precision Tube manufacturing unit will be invaluable in aligning the goals our manufacturing plants with our distribution channels.”