• LIBERTY Powder Metals appoints first distributor as part of strategy to build global distribution network
• Righton & Blackburns Limited appointed sole UK and Ireland distributor of LIBERTY Powder Metals’ products
• Initial deal will enable Righton & Blackburns Limited to stock 10 tonnes of powder metals

Left to right: Dermot Desmond (LPM), Andy Gauler (RB) | Dan Frith (LPM), Dermot Desmond (LPM), James Ashby (LPM), David Wycherley (RB), Andy Gauler (RB)

LIBERTY Powder Metals, the UK’s newest and unique producer of premium metal powders and alloys, has appointed Righton & Blackburns Limited as its sole distributor for all UK and Ireland markets in a deal that will act as a springboard for the growth of LIBERTY Powder Metals’ global distribution network.

The deal will enable Righton & Blackburns Limited, which has established its own Powder Metals division, to stock an initial 10 tonnes of powder metals across Liberty Powder Metals’ comprehensive portfolio of premium powders.

Righton Blackburns Powder Metals will hold inventory at its dedicated national distribution centre in the West Midlands, which serves as its hub to service customers throughout the UK and Ireland through its network of 10 service centres.

LIBERTY Powder Metals’ Commercial and Business Development Manager Dermot Desmond said: “We are delighted to make this announcement today. With a renowned reputation for service and customer satisfaction and operating in mission critical sectors such as aerospace and defence, Righton Blackburns Powder Metals was a natural choice when looking for a distribution partner to serve customers across the UK and Ireland. Availability of stock is a key requirement to customers operating in the fast-moving manufacturing arena of Additive Manufacturing, PM-HIP and near net shape production. With this deal customers in the UK and Ireland will benefit from fast turnaround times including 24 hours on many standard items.”

Righton & Blackburns Limited Managing Director, David Wycherley said: “We are excited to announce our new business division and our entry into the world of powder metallurgy. With Liberty Powder Metals we believe we have found the right manufacturing partner given their unique atomisation processes incorporating anti-satellite technology, resulting in highly spherical powders. With near net shape manufacturing processes including Additive Manufacturing and PM-HIP being embraced by more of our customers it was only natural this would be a space where we would want to operate. Stocking an extensive range of powder metals from steels and stainless steel, through nickel superalloys and cobalt chrome to aluminium and titanium alloys in a variety of particle size distributions, we look forward to delivering the world-beating service and customer satisfaction our customers have come to expect.”

LIBERTY Powder Metals’ atomiser, which opened last December at the Materials Processing Institute on Teesside, produces a range of premium stainless steel and nickel superalloy powders that enable 3D printing of precision components in a market already worth more than £2bn a year globally. In addition to producing steel and nickel superalloys, LIBERTY Powder Metals’ diverse portfolio now includes aluminium and titanium powders.

Earlier this year LIBERTY Powder Metals was awarded two quality certifications. EN 9100 is the internationally recognised Quality Management System for the aerospace industry while ISO 9001 is the equivalent system for general industry.

Righton Blackburns Powder Metals facility in West Midlands covers 4,000m2 and has the capacity for expansion as the market develops. Righton & Blackburns Limited have been servicing customers in a diverse range of industries for over 100 years including aerospace, defence, marine, oil & gas, energy, automotive, process plant, architecture and engineering. The most trusted supply partner for consistently high-quality metals and plastics, Righton & Blackburns Limited are accredited to EN9100, ISO 9001, AS 9120 in addition to numerous 2nd party approvals.

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Note to Editors
LIBERTY Steel Group, part of the GFG Alliance and a leading GREENSTEEL producer, is a global integrated steel business bringing together assets across the steel supply chain, from production of liquid steel from raw and recycled materials through to high value precision engineered steels. With a total rolling capacity of 20 million tonnes, 200+ manufacturing locations globally across 10 countries and employing more than 30,000 people, LIBERTY Steel’s furnaces, mills, services centres and distribution sites across the UK, continental Europe, Australia, the United States and China serve demanding sectors such as construction, energy, aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure. LIBERTY Steel is a leader in sustainable industry with a mission to become Carbon Neutral by 2030 (CN30).