Investing for success

UK manufacturer, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections, has significantly increased its productivity by expanding its manufacturing capabilities, purchasing new folding and cutting equipment, and diversifying its product range.

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For over 50 years, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections Ltd has considered itself a cornerstone of quality and reliability in the roofing and cladding industry. Based in the idyllic village of Bucknell, nestled in the Shropshire countryside, this family-run British business has built a strong reputation in the industry.

Founded in the heart of rural England, Hornsey Steel has grown to employ 34 staff members while remaining deeply connected to its roots. “We’ve come a long way in those 50 years,” said company director, Samuel Hornsey. “But we haven’t forgotten our roots—they anchor us and provide the strong foundations upon which we continue to build.”

The company, in its current form, was founded in 1992, specialising in metal roofing panels and structural steel products. Samuel Hornsey took over as company director when his father, Mark, stepped down in 2014. 

Hornsey Steel specialises in high-quality steel panels and sections. The company takes pride in its rich manufacturing heritage and values the contributions of its past and present team members.

“Our aims, as a business, are to create a progressive culture which taps into the needs of our customers and colleagues. We wish to expand our product range in an organic way, which allows us to reach out to new sectors. We also want to develop sustainable growth which positively impacts our community,” confirmed Harry Disley, Managing Director, Hornsey Steel.

A new chapter

Hornsey Steel’s customer base is made up primarily of a wide range of stockists, distributors and manufacturers as well as agricultural and industrial contractors throughout the UK. It manufactures a range of products for industry sectors such as agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential and leisure.

Examples of its products include a comprehensive range of box profile and corrugated profile roof and wall panels in a variety of colours and finishes. It also manufactures crimp curved, concave and convex box profile panels and smooth curved, corrugated panels.

Custom-made roof flashings, gutters and accessories are also manufactured, as well as bespoke pressed profiled panels. The company also supplies unique fabrications, fascias, trims and fixings. Hornsey Steel’s range of secondary steelwork includes Zed purlins, Cee sections, Eaves beams and all associated accessories.

However, 1 October 2024 marked a milestone for Hornsey Steel as the company moved into a new, purpose-built 2,325m² manufacturing facility. The modern 24-bay facility creates an operational space that is 2.5 times larger than the company’s previous premises. 

The new manufacturing site, previously an old coal yard, is purpose-built to improve the company’s operations and sustainability. Designed with a long, linear layout on a former coal yard, the facility accommodates the production of metal roofing panels and structural steel products.

New advanced machinery

The move also represented a bold step forward, enabling the company to expand its production capabilities and diversify its product range. By significantly expanding its product range, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections has also enhanced its ability to serve diverse client needs, from local walk-in customers to large-scale construction projects managing high-profile contracts such as a Netflix studio build.

Among its latest additions, Hornsey Steel integrated modern solutions from CIDAN Machinery Group. These machines play a crucial role in the company’s production process, enabling the manufacturing of flashings, bespoke panels and gutters with precision and speed.

The new facility houses highly advanced equipment including a Thalmann TD200 6.4m long folder, a Thalmann TDZ200 4.2m long folder, a CIDAN EVO DOU 4.1 guillotine shear and a CIDAN Stackmaster sheet storage system.

“Our machinery was received and in place as part of our expansion into new premises in the fourth quarter of 2024. The range of machinery supports our enhanced product range and allows for efficiency and flexibility of supply,” outlined Harry Disley.

“Our visit to Thalmann in Switzerland was inspiring,” confirmed Samuel Hornsey, Managing Director, Hornsey Steel. “We were impressed not only by the capability of the equipment but also by the warm hospitality of our hosts. These machines are a game-changer for us, significantly boosting our efficiency and productivity.”

Hornsey Steel’s investment in CIDAN Machinery has allowed the company to meet growing demand while maintaining high-quality standards. The enhanced precision and speed of the machines ensure that Hornsey’s products continue to meet the expectations of its customers in commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors.

Keeping a high profile

The new facility is more than just a manufacturing space, it is a symbol of the company’s forward-thinking ethos. Designed to foster collaboration and creativity, the space reflects Samuel Hornsey’s vision of a workplace where employees look forward to coming each day.

To read the rest of this article in ISMR’s April 2025 issue, see https://joom.ag/b6jd/p26