Top Tubes Ltd

Steel tube producer reaps the benefits of continuous improvement

Top Tubes Ltd — 03/07/2013

Wednesbury based Top Tubes is now seeing the fruits of its continuous improvement programme in a multiplicity of ways, resulting in significant increases in production levels.

Every person and every process is involved, says Top Tubes MD Adam Bradley, and the programme has brought in a good response from staff which has produced some interesting ideas.

The programme is impacting in a number of ways. Their computerised planning and production systems, which they began installing 12 months ago and which cleverly integrate quality functions with planning, inventory and despatch functions, are now yielding very positive benefits, not just in terms of quality consistency and the resultant reductions in wastage, but also in terms of manufacturing turnaround and despatch.

Furthermore, factory floor workshops, which ran during February and March, have also made a great contribution, both in team building and encouraging and developing problem finding, problem solving and analysis.

Top Tubes adoption of Standard Operating Procedures have eliminated divergent working methods, reducing, for instance, changeover periods. Meanwhile, the new zodiac on-site slitting line, as well as shortening the lines of communication, has increased steel strip output quite dramatically due to greater efficiency and reduced changeover periods. This in turn has enabled Top Tubes to react to customer requirements much faster.

"These improvements and ongoing investments are really driving us forwards", says Operations Manager Simon Moore, proudly displaying a new steel strip decoiler.

With the possibility of some challenging times ahead it will be essential to maintain and improve quality and customer service, according to ERW Sales Manager Craig Gibbs. To stay ahead of the game, says Craig, you cant afford to stay still on service and quality, continuous improvement is the only way forward.

Discover the benefits of Top Tubes laser processing

Top Tubes Ltd — 21/03/2018

No-one does more with tube, so you’d expect the combination of laser tube technology with a wide range of other processes and operations to yield benefits, and you’d be right.

Top Tubes is at the forefront of laser tube processing and laser tube cutting. With a full compliment of state of the art BLM Adige laser processing machines we can produce finished laser-processed components more economically and in a fraction of the time taken by conventional fabrication methods. We can add multiple processes like punching and flow drilling, and uniquely we can combine the benefits of laser processing with slotting, manipulating and fabricating, all under the same roof.

We can manufacture components straight from a customer’s cadcam files, often turning a process which might previously have taken a customer weeks to complete into one that can take just hours, and also making prototypes quick and simple to produce.

We can deliver tube-based manufacturing solutions that offer superior structural properties, add value and reduce customer costs.

Top Tubes’ laser component capability opens up new possibilities for fabricators, transforming the economies of component and sub-assembly manufacture.

Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 121 506 1088
Fax: +44 (0) 121 506 1094
Email: luke.strong@toptubes.co.uk

www.toptubes.co.uk/products-and-services/laser-tube-processing

Inaugural Top Tubes Core Values Award

Top Tubes Ltd — 17/05/2022

This month we launched our new and exciting “Top Tuber Core Value Reward Scheme”
Employees of Top Tubes are able to nominate others within the business for specific events that take place where the nominee demonstrates going above and beyond their roles and responsibilities.
Roger Kinsey is our first Top Tuber of 2022.
Roger received the award for his positive attitude, and working tremendously as part of a team. Examples included a particularly busy time in April where Roger worked hard to make sure the customer was not affected.
Huge congratulations to Roger for this achievement.

Roger was awarded a £250.00 shopping voucher to enjoy!

What is a Top Tuber ?

Total commitment to Health, Safety and Environment
Outstanding Quality
Positive Attitude
Team orientated
Understanding our customers
Belief in yourself
Empowering each other
Respecting others

Sales Director Appointment

Top Tubes Ltd — 09/05/2023

Today we welcome Brendan Wall as our company Sales Director.
The Top Tubes team very much look forward to his experience & knowledge adding to our 200+ years of steel tube industry know how.

Brendan will have overall sales & marketing responsibility, working closely with Craig Gibbs & Luke Strong, along with established sales executive and sales account managers.
He’ll bring a variety of new attributes to Top Tubes and greatly enhance our already formidable sales/commercial team.

We look forward to working with Brendan and taking Top Tubes even further…..

Top Tubes Ltd, 2 Smith Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0PD

Top Tuber November 2022

Top Tubes Ltd — 19/12/2022

We are proud to announce the November winner of the Top Tuber Core Value Reward Scheme is Victor Winchester..

Victor was nominated for his positive attitude, total commitment and dedication to H&S.

A few weeks ago, Victor trained 45 people in one week , doing 5 different training courses. It was an extremely busy week for Victor and due to his determination, commitment and positive attitude it was completed efficiently and effectively!

Victor will receive a £250 One for all voucher

Job Vacancy

Top Tubes Ltd — 23/06/2021

Top Tubes Ltd are hiring !

Do you have experience working with steel or in the manufacturing industry?
We have vacant positions in various departments, including Laser Department, Class 1 & 2 Drivers & Production Operatives.
If you are interested or know someone that might be, forward your CV to recruitment@toptubes.co.uk

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a successful growing tube manufacturer based in Wednesbury.

Feel free to like and share this post!

Charity Raffle at Top Tubes

Top Tubes Ltd — 29/06/2021

Thank you to our customer, suppliers & employees for supporting our recent cahrity raffle

Laser capability gets further boost at Top Tubes

Top Tubes Ltd — 25/03/2013

As part of an on-going investment programme aimed at satisfying the growing demand for laser-processed parts, particularly in the retail sector, Wednesbury based Top Tubes has added another new BLM Adige tube laser machine to their tube laser roster. Its introduction will see significant productivity gains, cutting lead times and aiding job planning.

The LT722D, powered by the latest operating software, joins Top Tubes existing LT712, LT722 and LT8.The new machine offers a myriad of benefits. In particular, the equipment performs a doubling in speed compared to the BLM Adige machine it replaces, improved software functionality resulting in faster transfers between jobs, greatly increased versatility to tackle a wider range of jobs and better user controls,including a database of ready to use cutting parameters, which help minimise waste and set up times. With the installation of this machine, says CAD Engineer Dan Wellings, not only do we offer better tube laser resources than many laser specialist, we also offer bigger cost savings because we manufacture the tube too.

During the last few years Top Tubes has endeavoured to help spearhead the cost-saving advances offered by laser tube processing, replacing, for example, multiple components with single laser-processed pieces.

Top Tubes dedication to advancing laser tube processing has seen them employ state of the art computer aided design and CNC laser technology to pioneer the use of steel tube in place of sheet metal in component manufacture.

The firm can even manufacture components straight from a customers Cadcam files, in Solidworks or other packages, often turning a process which might before have taken a customer weeks to complete into one that can take hours.

The new equipment joins their existing BLM Adige LT8 which is renowned for its flexibility and has a tube diameter range from 12 to 220mm x 200mm. It can process square tubes up to 200mm x 200mm, rectangular tubes 200 x 180mm, and a maximum thickness of 10mm. In addition, their Adige LT722D machine is also one of the fastest laser cutting machines in the world.

Top Tubes dedication to investing in state of the art laser processing equipment is evidently resulting in a number of benefits, in terms of them deliveringexceptional tube-based manufacturing solutions that offer superior structural properties, add value and reduce costs and in turn allow them to pass these benefits onto their customers.

Top Tubes Ltd : Taking Tube Further & EASY TO BUY OFF

Top Tubes Ltd — 09/03/2023

We give you a guarantee that the prices, quality and service Top Tubes Ltd can offer will be extremely hard to beat, please allow us the opportunity to prove it.

If you need more information and services we can offer please get in touch below:

ERW@toptubes.co.uk

Laser@toptubes.co.uk

Coil@toptubes.co.uk

0121-506-1080

Or visit our new Web Site : www.toptubes.co.uk

#Tube #ERWmanufacture #TubeMill #TubeLaser #tubelasercutting

New plant brings quality and efficiency gains

Top Tubes Ltd — 09/03/2012

Automotive applications account for a substantial element of Top Tubes' business, so our new high speed Bruderer BSTA 60H perforation line is proving a valuable addition to our plant list, enabling us to bring all of our perforated strip processing in-house and thus helping us to serve both the OEM and after market exhaust sectors even more efficiently, as well as a number of other application areas.

In addition to producing perforated strip of unrivalled precision – and in the wide range of patterns we're renowned for – the Bruderer's precision mechanics boast PC control via a touch screen with clearly arranged graphics for easy handling, a memory function for die parameters and integration of measuring and control functions for increased process safety. With a press force of 600KN and speeds of up to 800 strokes per minute, the Bruderer gives us better control of both time scales and costs – vital in today's extremely competitive automotive market.

Better standards of packaging are a very welcome innovation and are a bonus to both ourselves and our customers alike. The installation of the Mair packaging line allows us to run the tube mill at a higher capacity because of the faster, more efficient packing the Mair provides. Depending on the product up to 15 perfectly shaped uniform packs can be processed per hour.

Installed towards the end of 2011, the Mair packaging line represents an investment of over a quarter of a million pounds and packages tube which was previously delivered in irregular bundles into rectangular, square or hexagonal packs, providing easier storage and transportation. The packs are secured with high tensile steel banding which prevents break-up or collapse of the packs which in turn means we can transport greater weights safely.

In-Comm Awards 2019

Top Tubes Ltd — 06/06/2019

Good luck to our own Adam Strong, trainee production administrator, who is a finalist tonight at the In-Comm Awards 2019 in Learner of the Year - Management & Leadership.

You are doing a great job at Top Tubes and hopefully the award judges see what we see and you win....

Adam Strong
Trainee Production Administrator

Tel: 0121 506 1040
Mob: 07437824790

www.toptubes.co.uk

Top Tubes Ltd
2 Smith Road
(Off Potters Lane)
Wednesbury
West Midlands
WS10 0PD

Top Tubes achieves ISO 9001 certification

Top Tubes Ltd — 28/02/2012

For any company that puts quality management at the top of its priorities, ISO 9001 status is the ultimate accolade, and so it is with Top Tubes, which achieved certification to ISO 9001:2008 in late 2011.

ISO 9001 certification is the internationally recognised benchmark Standard when it comes to quality systems and provides customers with total confidence in Top Tubes’ quality management procedures which, ultimately, are reflected in our product quality. It helps to reinforce our position at the forefront of the tube industry, opening up exciting new possibilities such as the supply of products for higher end applications to OEMs and into export markets, evidence of which is already appearing.

In reality, the gaining of ISO 9001 status provides confirmation of the quality culture which has been in place at Top Tubes for a considerable period of time – dating back to 2007 in fact when our Quality Manager, Steve Powell, soon after arriving in the company, introduced our original Quality Control Mechanisms. Top Tubes’ success to date provides objective evidence that we’ve been able to meet and in many cases exceed customers’ expectations in terms of product quality and quality management. As Steve says, “Top Tubes’ considerable investment in plant and technology in recent years wouldn’t have been possible if our quality systems hadn’t been demonstrably up to the mark". Commenting on the certification, Top Tubes Managing Director Adam Bradley said “Everybody is completely focussed on the quality management system and understands why it is so important that we use it to control our working practices”.

In addition to the ongoing work involved in maintaining the internal disciplines and the continuous improvement required by ISO 9001, the immediate future will see Top Tubes striving for ISO 14001 certification – the environmental standard – which we’re well on the way to achieving, followed by ISO 1800, the ISO Health and Safety certification and culminating in the upgrading of our ISO 9001 certification to the automotive industry-specific TS 16949 Standard.

In terms of industry standards and certifications, it is Top Tubes firm intention to stay not just in step with customers’ rising expectations, but ahead of them.

MAGNAtube

Top Tubes Ltd — 10/08/2017

Introducing MAGNAtube.

Top Tubes Ltd have launched a coated mild steel tube that resists corrosion better than anything in the market.
We've called this coated tube "MAGNATUBE".

If you need a mild steel tube that does not rust, this is the product you've been looking for.

View detailed information on our website

www.toptubes.co.uk

Welded steel tube producer aims to stay at the top

Top Tubes Ltd — 24/11/2011

“Taking tube further” reads the strapline on every page of the new-look website of Top Tubes. Putting its philosophy into practice, the Wednesbury-based company, which already offers a greater range of capabilities than any other UK ERW steel tube producer, has this year invested £1.5 million in new plant and achieved accreditation to ISO 9001:2008 to secure its leading position in the industry.

The company’s newest piece of equipment is a £800,000 BLM Adige LT8 laser-cutting machine, the most advanced of its type. It can process square tubes up to 200mm x 200mm and rectangular tubes up to 200 x 180mm. Complementing the company’s existing LT712D and LT722D machines, two of the fastest of their kind in the world, the LT8 gives Top Tubes a complete range of laser-cutting services covering all tube dimensions.

Other equipment purchased in the last 12 months includes a £250,000 Mair automated packing line, which will enable tubes previously delivered in irregular bundles to be presented to customers in neat rectangular, square or hexagonal packs. In addition, a new high-speed Bruderer perforation line, costing £150,000, means perforated strip processing can now be handled in-house, and so better controlled, rather than outsourced. In a similar move, early next year a slitting line will be installed to replace facilities currently sited at another factory.

Craig Gibbs, ERW sales manager, said: “Our aim is to be a solutions provider, not just a tube producer. By offering added-value services, such as laser profile cutting, manipulation and fabrication, we can deliver to the customer a semi-finished product with a finite cost.”
The company’s accreditation to ISO 9001:2008 marks the culmination of two years’ work which has seen Top Tubes not just introduce new procedures but also a new working culture. “We have changed the way we work to achieve this standard,” said managing director Adam Bradley. “Everybody is now completely focused on this quality management system and understands why it is so important we use it to control our working practices.

“Not having this standard has held us back in the past. Many companies would not even talk to us. Now just weeks after gaining our accreditation, it is already beginning to open doors. It will give us the opportunity to supply products for higher-end applications to OEMs in the automotive sector and other market segments that we were previously closed out of before.”

Top Tubes was established in 1994 – by Adam and his brother Matthew – and ever since its turnover has grown consistently, from £1.5 million in its first year of trading to £28 million in 2010. Today the company employs 100 people while annual output currently stands at more than 30,000 tonnes.

“The investment in new equipment and our quality improvements are taking Top Tubes into a new era in terms of capability, efficiency and professionalism,” added Adam. “Despite our rapid growth, Top Tubes still has the atmosphere of a small, close-knit business. Because the company is family-owned, we have many good qualities – such as our dedication and sense of endeavour – which I think sets us apart from many of our competitors.”

New vehicles expand Top Tubes’ transport fleet

Top Tubes Ltd — 01/12/2018

The ever-expanding Top Tubes transport fleet has just grown by another two vehicles, taking our fleet total to ten.

Sporting Top Tubes’ eyecatching blue and white livery and the highly appropriate slogan ‘Taking Tube Further’, Top Tubes vehicles are now a familiar sight on the UK’s highways and byways.

Significantly, Both of the new vehicles – a Volvo 32 tonne FM Globetrotter and a Volvo 26 tonne flatbed – boast sleeper cabs, indicative of the longer distance deliveries which are on the increase at Top Tubes.

Our fleet helps us to offer next day delivery on most products, aided in no small part by Top Tubes drivers’ pride in getting deliveries to customers on time.

From our earliest days Top Tubes has believed in the principle of serving the needs of individual customers. That’s why our service is tailored to supplying exactly what the customer wants, when they want it.

Having our own fleet of vehicles gives us greater control over deliveries, making for greater reliability, which translates into increased customer satisfaction. It also compliments the Top Tubes model of doing everything from the minute the order is placed to the minute it’s delivered.

Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 121 506 1080
Fax: +44 (0) 121 506 1090
Email: enquiries@toptubes.co.uk

www.toptubes.co.uk

Fin cutting reaches out to new markets

Top Tubes Ltd — 01/12/2018

Fin cutting – the complete removal of the internal weld bead (or fin) – is now available on sizes above 25.40mm od for ERW tube produced here at Top Tubes.

For the benefit of those not technically aware, fin-cut tube is necessary where the bore cannot have any weld seam obstruction. Instances such as one section of tube fitting snugly inside another or where there is a precision internal fit required. Cold drawn seamless tube offers the same benefits, but at a much greater cost.

Top Tubes has always offered a controlled internal weld seam by ‘bead rolling’ the internal weld seam on ERW mild steel tube. With fin cutting we now offer seam welded tube with the internal weld seam completely eliminated, giving even greater control of the internal bore/condition.

Fin-cutting takes place in-line by means of an internal scarfing tool positioned directly beyond the welding stage, over which the tube travels. The resulting scarfed fin wire is removed by means of high pressure air gun, leaving a clean internal diameter.

The clean bore of a fin-cut tube is a requirement in many applications, opening up new markets that were previously inaccessible – yet another forward step for Top Tubes to offer our market a full range of options in seam welded mild steel tube.

Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 121 506 1080 (Option 2)
Fax: +44 (0) 121 506 1090
Email: craig.gibbs@toptubes.co.uk

www.toptubes.co.uk/products-and-services/welded-tube

Top Tubes 25th anniversary a continuing story of success

Top Tubes Ltd — 11/09/2019

Back in 1994, when the home-grown demand for steel tube was far greater than today, a young Adam Bradley, trading above his mother’s hairdressing shop, sold his red VW Corrado to finance the purchase of a large consignment of tube - within a fortnight he had sold the tube for twice what he paid for it.

That was the start of a continuing story of success.

In 1996 Adam’s brother Matt joined the business, primarily to deal with accounts and administration. Later that year the company moved into its first warehouse in Deepdale Lane. By 1998 it had relocated to four units in Steetley Industrial Estate, Coseley.

First tube mill
“There was energy and excitement around and we were having the time of our lives”, says Adam Bradley (pictured above, right). Brother Matt Bradley (above, left) says the real excitement came in 2006 when they bought their first tube mill: “This was a pivotal year for us, a defining moment and when the market place took notice of us”.

Later that year the purchase of their first laser tube cutting machine gave them the facility to bring added value to their product.

In the five years from 2001 they tripled their annual turnover and increased their workforce to 80. Since that time hardly a year has gone by which hasn’t seen the purchase of new equipment and further investment, including their move to Smith Road in 2007.

Learning curve
The brothers agree that their steepest learning curve over the 25 years has been understanding what it is to employ people. “People are massively important in a company like ours” says Adam. They feel they’ve been fortunate in that many of their workforce have been with them for 10 years or more, with a significant number passing the 20 year mark.

Events throughout the summer are set to celebrate the anniversary for the workforce and their families, including a theme park day and a day’s horse racing, a golf day and a fishing tournament. The finale will be an end of year party.

“Taking Tube Further” has been our strapline since 2010 and our ethos since 1994. We are a truly innovative company. We have always and will continue to follow our dream and make tube of the highest quality and deliver a service that matches our tube” says Adam with pride and conviction.

Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 121 506 1080 (Option 2)
Fax: +44 (0) 121 506 1090
Email: craig.gibbs@toptubes.co.uk

www.toptubes.co.uk/

POSCO SIGNS PosMac SUPPLY to TOP TUBES - MAGNAtube becomes official

Top Tubes Ltd — 09/11/2017

POSMAC IS SET TO MAKE ITS FIRST FORAY INTO THE EUROPEAN MARKET WITH TOP TUBES
who are now launching an exciting range of new of products using PosMAC steel

On October 12th at the POSCO Center, POSCO signed a PosMAC supply agreement for steel tube production with Top Tubes Ltd, a British ERW mild steel tube manufacturer specializing in cold rolled and galvanized steel.

Among the attendees of the signing ceremony were Adam Bradley, MD of Top Tubes, Byeong-ryong Suh, Head of POSCO Construction Steel Materials Sales Group and Chae-il Lim, Head of POSCO Daewoo Hot-Rolled Sales Group.

Top Tubes is a UK-based company established in 1994. POSCO first supplied test products of PosMAC steel to Top Tubes in 2012, and in 2013 sold PosMAC for the first time in Europe. In 2016, when zinc-magnesium coated steel was gaining traction globally, MD Adam Bradley visited South Korea to discuss an extended application plan for PosMAC.

Then, in June 2017, Top Tubes launched MAGNAtube, a premium tube brand using PosMAC, marking the first time an overseas client established a secondary brand using PosMAC.

Top Tubes plans to actively promote the use of PosMAC in their MAGNAtube products, to feature PosMAC steels advanced corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanized steel and its cost-effectiveness in comparison to stainless steel.

Adam Bradley said, We have the utmost confidence in POSCOs products due to the various verification processes of PosMAC. We also expect that MAGNAtube will prove to be a leading, strategic product that will shape the future of our brand.

POSCO plans to continue to be a reliable partner to Top Tubes and other potential partners in the European market. In order to achieve this, POSCO has developed technical and customized solutions including corrosion-resistant materials suited for the wet and salty climate of the UK, optimal welding wires and a corrosion-resistant tube seam welding technology.

Find out more by visiting:

WWW.TOPTUBES.CO.UK

BENEFITS OF MAGNATUBE?

Up to 20 times the corrosion resistance of galvanised tube
High strength steel
Greatly extended product life
Edge protection

Enhanced formability
Total exterior and interior protection
Unique MAGNAFusion weld repair
Harder more resilient surface
Environmental sustainability

MAGNAtube®is Top Tubes newly developed high- endurance tube, combining extraordinary levels of corrosion resistance with the durability of high strength steel and offering up to 20 times the corrosion resistance of galvanised tube thanks to its revolutionary zinc, aluminium and magnesium coating.

MAGNAtube®is designed not just to survive in the most hostile environments but also to offer extreme longevity. In exhaustive tests carried out by Rotech Laboratories, one of the UKs leading test houses,MAGNAtube® endured the equivalent of 100 years exposure to the harshest elements without undue deterioration.

Total exterior and interior surface protection is ensured, even down to the unique MAGNAfusion weld repair. And MAGNAtube® offers improved manipulation capabilities over galvanised tube.

MAGNAtube®even protects the environment by reducing the amount of zinc in manufacture compared to galvanised tube and by extending product life.

Are you ready for tomorrow's Tube? We are.

TOP TUBES RE-START MANUFACTURE 20/4/202

Top Tubes Ltd — 15/04/2020

Following three weeks of necessary shutdown of our ERW steel tube manufacture & tube laser capability, Top Tubes is pleased to confirm that we are back in operation as of Monday 20/4.
Please contact us with your mild steel tube requirements as we all seek to get manufacture industry moving forward, whilst keeping everyone safe & clear of COVID-19.

We wish all MIM businesses our best in the current and future climate.

Top Tubes Ltd

Steel tube producer reaps the benefits of continuous improvement

Discover the benefits of Top Tubes laser processing

No-one does more with tube, so you’d expect the combination of laser tube technology with a wide range of other processes and operations to yield benefits, and you’d be right.

Inaugural Top Tubes Core Values Award

Sales Director Appointment

Top Tuber November 2022

Job Vacancy

Charity Raffle at Top Tubes

Laser capability gets further boost at Top Tubes

Top Tubes Ltd : Taking Tube Further & EASY TO BUY OFF

Top Tubes Company Video

New plant brings quality and efficiency gains

In-Comm Awards 2019

Top Tubes achieves ISO 9001 certification

MAGNAtube

Welded steel tube producer aims to stay at the top

New vehicles expand Top Tubes’ transport fleet

The ever-expanding Top Tubes transport fleet has just grown by another two vehicles, taking our fleet total to ten.

Fin cutting reaches out to new markets

Fin cutting – the complete removal of the internal weld bead (or fin) – is now available on sizes above 25.40mm od for ERW tube produced here at Top Tubes.

Top Tubes 25th anniversary a continuing story of success

POSCO SIGNS PosMac SUPPLY to TOP TUBES - MAGNAtube becomes official

POSMAC IS SET TO MAKE ITS FIRST FORAY INTO THE EUROPEAN MARKET WITH TOP TUBES who are now launching an exciting range of new of products using PosMAC steel

BENEFITS OF MAGNATUBE?

Are you ready for tomorrow's Tube? We are.

TOP TUBES RE-START MANUFACTURE 20/4/202

POSMAC IS SET TO MAKE ITS FIRST FORAY INTO THE EUROPEAN MARKET WITH TOP TUBES
who are now launching an exciting range of new of products using PosMAC steel