NEWS 10 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS September 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk The Government’s ambition to step in and acquire Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) is the right move as the South Yorkshire site scales up to become fully operational later this year. While talks with the preferred bidder were ongoing, the Government decided it is best to take over the asset itself. This move gives added security to the 1300 employees in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury, and should give the market confidence that SSUK is returning to regular production and able to satisfy new orders. SSUK is a core part of the UK manufacturing supply chain feeding into areas of critical national security including domestic aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing, producing steel for aircraft landing gear, helicopter rotors, and artillery casings. The company is also a key supplier to the oil & gas, automotive and general engineering sectors. The Stocksbridge, Bright Bar and Thrybergh rolling mills have been operational throughout the liquidation process and have been ramping up production for hire-work. Funding has also been made available to restart the melting operations, with the electric arc furnaces well on track for a December restart date. The rise in SSUK’s production will release much of the pressure in the tightest UK import quotas (notably categories 12B and 27), ensuring the UK market is well supplied and helping the government towards its target to increase the UK’s steel selfsufficiency from just 32% of demand currently to 40%-50%. UK Steel Director-General, Gareth Stace commented: “This Government is once again stepping up to do what is needed for the UK steel industry. SSUK is already well on its way to returning to full operations and retaking its place at the heart of critical UK supply chains. It is crucial that the custodian of this key strategic asset is the right owner and investor, with the expertise and long-term ambition that the dedicated workforce deserve.” Polyhose thanks Managing Director for 30 years of service Polyhose UK (Ltd), an energy conveyance products wholesaler, has thanked Managing Director Marc Whibley for his 30 years of service. From its dedicated warehouse and distribution site in Christchurch, Dorset, Polyhose supplies customers across the UK with world-class Thermoplastic, PTFE, Rubber Hydraulic, Industrial, Composite, Stainless Steel, Flexible hoses and Fluid Connectors. Marc joined the company, known then as Exitflex, in January 1996 and built an outstanding career, progressing from Sales Representative to UK Sales Manager, then Export Sales Manager, before being appointed Managing Director. In 2006, he was seconded to Switzerland to support the company’s founder as Vice President and further strengthen the company’s international presence. Three years later, Marc became instrumental in Polyhose’s acquisition of Exitflex, helping secure the company’s long-term strength and success. Throughout his career, Marc has consistently put the company’s interests and its employees’ needs first. He has guided the business through recession, two relocations, and multiple build projects, while continuing to support customers with practical solutions and building highly valued relationships both inside and outside the organisation. In particular, 2025 was a pivotal year for Polyhose UK, as it celebrated its 40th anniversary and opened a major new warehousing facility to increase its UK stockholding and provide an even better customer and staff experience. The company is now entering a new chapter under new leadership, while Marc will continue to support the business in an advisory role. “It has been a privilege to lead Exitflex and Polyhose in the UK over the past 30+ years,” Marc commented. “As I step down, I am grateful for the exceptional team members whose unwavering support has made our journey possible. I am deeply thankful not just for the professional milestones we reached together, but for the genuine, lasting friendships formed along the way. Thank you to everyone in the business, and to our wonderful partners across both the fluid power and surface finishing industries who made these decades so rewarding. While I am excited to have the opportunity to step back, I look forward to my involvement in a supportive and advisory role. I wish the company nothing but the best as it continues to deliver excellence to our customers across the UK.” Polyhose products are used in all kinds of fluid transfer applications, including hydraulic systems in manufacturing, cnstruction, agriculture, automotive, marine, rescue equipment and industrial applications such as water jetting, sewer cleaning, high pressure blasting and painting and fire suppression systems, as well as LPG and high-pressure industrial gas transfer. Their culture of excellence means highly engineered products that industries can trust to perform every time. UK Steel backs Government plan to buy SSUK
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