The Specialists


Neville Davies, Managing Director, cuts the turf to start work on new bar and billet mill, 1976. © Wrexham Archives, WM210

Brymbo found a specialist role in the fast changing steel industry of modern Britain.  Under the management of Guest, Keen & Nettlefold (GKN), the steelworks embarked on a massive programme of modernisation: a new electric melting shop (1959), a new cogging mill (1961) and a new inspection department (1964) – all designed to improve and guarantee the quality of Brymbo steel.

Brymbo steel was used to make:

  • Engine and machine parts for cars, tractors, lorries and military vehicles
  • Hydraulic pit props and conveyor belt chains for the coal industry
  • Drills and bits for use in the oil and gas fields


Tapping the furnace, Brymbo Steelworks. © Wrexham Archives, 91.27

Brymbo did not compete on economies of scale.  Instead Brymbo competed on accuracy and consistency of product.  With the inspection department analysing every bar of steel before it left the site, quality control was unmatched in the UK, if not worldwide.

Successive governments’ industrial policies made long term planning difficult for Brymbo’s managers.  However in 1976 GKN, once again owners of Brymbo Steelworks, had the confidence to invest £47.6 million in a new bar and billet mill.  With the new mill opening in 1980, Brymbo looked well set for the future.


Top Office Staff, Brymbo Steelworks, 1971. © Wrexham Archives, WM210 - view large image

We make the steel for the engines of cars, lorries and tractors. You cant use any old steel or the parts wear out quickly.

We make the steel for the engines of cars, lorries and tractors. You can’t use any old steel or the parts wear out quickly.

They say NASA used our steel in the spaceships that went to the moon. Do you know where else they use Brymbo steel?

They say NASA used our steel in the spaceships that went to the moon. Do you know where else they use Brymbo steel?

Steel production at Brymbo (tonnes of steel)

Steel production at Brymbo (tonnes of steel)

1796 – 884 (iron)
1898 – 30,000
1914 – 60,000
1932 – 0
1936 – 65,000
1950 – 109,000
1960 – 143,000
1963 – 260,000 ingot tonnes
1965 – 315,000 ingot tonnes
1967 – 272,455
1972 – 350,000
1974 – 409,000 ingot tonnes
1990 – 245,000 (1990 capacity raw steel 560,000 tons)


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