Steelcraft

What Steelcraft does

Steelcraft (NE) Limited, founded in 1989 by John Armstrong and headquartered in Tanfield Lea, County Durham, is a UK manufacturer of bespoke architectural metalwork. The company's product portfolio spans railings, gates, balustrades (mild and stainless steel), Juliet and walk-on balconies, perimeter fencing, secondary steelwork (stairs, ramps, mezzanines, walkways), security metalwork, street furniture, and industrial fabrications. Manufacturing relies on MIG and TIG welding, CNC press brake forming (200-ton, 4000mm capacity), and guillotine cutting up to 10mm, with UKCA marking compliance to BS EN 1090 execution class 2 (EXC2) and CHAS, Constructionline, and Safemark accreditations. The company carries £5 million of professional indemnity insurance on its design service and operates a fully integrated design-manufacture-install model, with over 95% of products fitted by its own installation crews.

Steelcraft operates a hybrid go-to-market: direct sales through Contracts Managers serving the North East, Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Scottish Borders for bespoke projects, complemented by Forjj — an e-commerce sub-brand launched in 2019 — for nationwide distribution of standard Juliet balconies, railings, and gates to individual homeowners and small contractors. Pricing is quote-based for bespoke work and listed online for Forjj standard products. The customer base is concentrated among UK residential developers and contractors, with named enterprise clients including Taylor Wimpey, Vistry/Countryside Properties, Keepmoat Homes, Esh Group, Sir Robert McAlpine, Robertson North East, Hall Construction, Gateshead Housing Company, and Kendall Cross, alongside public-sector and facilities management clients (Engie, The Army Reserve).

Following financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steelcraft was acquired by Silvanito Group in August 2022, with £400,000 of initial investment and 27 jobs preserved. Under the new ownership the company has executed a relocation to a 16,500 sqft facility in February 2023, invested in new sheet metal fabrication equipment in November 2023, and secured its largest-ever £350,000 contract in 2024. The company is led by Managing Director Louise Walker (also Divisional CEO of Silvanito Holdings) and General Manager Matthew Rodgers (grandson of the founder), and is classified as a private limited company under English and Welsh jurisdiction.

Name

Steelcraft

Legal name

Steelcraft (NE) Limited

Website

https://steelcraftuk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steelcraft (NE) Limited is a UK architectural metalwork manufacturer founded in 1989 and based in County Durham, designing, fabricating, and installing bespoke railings, gates, balustrades, balconies, and secondary steelwork for residential developers, contractors, and public-sector clients across the North East and nationwide via its Forjj e-commerce sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Metalwork Manufacturing

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Plate Work and Fabricated Structural Product Manufacturing (33231)

SIC

Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440), Sheet Metal Work (3444), Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Steel Plate, Sections & Welded Assemblies (IMADACAD), Sheet Metal & Ductwork Fabrication/Installation (EDAOACAH)

Keywords

• Architectural metalwork
• Steel fabrication
• Balustrades railings
• Balcony manufacturing
• Security metalwork

Headquarters

HQ city

Chester-le-street

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Architectural Metalwork: Project-based custom fabrication including railings, gates, balustrades, balconies, handrails, stairs, and secondary steelwork. Full design, manufacture, and installation services provided.
2. Standard Product Sales (Forjj): E-commerce sales of standard metalwork designs including Juliet balconies, railings, and gates through Forjj.co.uk platform for direct nationwide distribution.
3. Installation Services: Over 95% of manufactured products are fitted by Steelcraft's own installation crews, ensuring quality finish throughout the project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Steelcraft designs, manufactures, and installs architectural metalwork products including railings, gates, balustrades, balconies, secondary steelwork, and security fabrications in mild and stainless steel. The company provides a fully integrated service covering bespoke design, in-house fabrication using MIG/TIG welding and CNC press brake equipment, and on-site installation by its own crews. It also operates the Forjj e-commerce sub-brand for direct nationwide sales of standard Juliet balconies, railings, and gates.

Product overview

Steelcraft is a specialist manufacturer of architectural metalwork offering a comprehensive portfolio of steel fabrication products and services. The core offering spans railings, gates, balustrades, balconies, secondary steelwork, security metalwork, street furniture, and industrial fabrications. Products are available in both mild steel and stainless steel variants, with full design, manufacture, and installation services. The company also operates Forjj (www.forjj.co.uk), an e-commerce sub-brand launched in 2019 that provides direct nationwide distribution of standard designs. The product range is organized into nine main categories: Railings & Gates, Perimeter Fencing, Balconies, Mild Steel Balustrade, Stainless Steel Balustrade, Secondary Steel/Stairs & Ramps, Security Metalwork, Street Furniture/Signs & Archways, and Industrial Fabrications. The company specializes in bespoke design alongside standard product offerings, with capabilities including MIG & TIG fabrication, galvanising, powder coating, and UKCA marking to BS EN 1090 standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forjj: A sub-brand operated by Steelcraft for nationwide sales through forjj.co.uk

Products and services

• Railings and Gates Comprehensive range of railings and gates including bespoke railings, bow top railings, decorative railings, economy railings, tubular railings, and matching gate designs for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
• Perimeter Fencing Perimeter boundary solutions including estate fencing, knee rail, mesh fencing, palisade fencing, and perimeter railings for industrial, commercial, and residential settings.
• Balconies (Juliet and Walk-On) Balcony products including glass Juliet balconies, standard Juliet balconies, and walk-on balconies that comply with building regulations and enhance property aesthetics. Walk-on balconies provide supported floor area with edge protection for raised portions of buildings.
• Mild Steel Balustrade Mild steel balustrade systems including guarding and guardrails, stair balustrade, and tubular balustrade for steps, access ramps, and pathways.
• Stainless Steel Balustrade Premium stainless steel balustrade products including balcony balustrade, stair balustrade, and Juliet balconies with glass infill options and hybrid timber finishes.
• Secondary Steel, Stairs and Ramps Secondary steelwork products including ladders, walkways, ramps, staircases, and structural support steelwork for industrial and commercial applications, including mezzanines with supporting frames, flooring, edge protection, and access stairs.
• Security Metalwork Physical security products including bespoke security fabrications, security gates, and window grilles for premises protection against intruders and vandalism. Also includes culvert grilles, storage cages, lockers, and locking bars designed to meet specific security requirements.
• Street Furniture, Signs and Archways Decorative and functional metalwork including canopies, archways, shelters, signs, and street furniture such as bins, barriers, and bollards.
• Industrial Fabrications Industrial metalwork products including sheet metal fabrication, access stairs, bespoke industrial metalwork, mezzanine structures with associated steelwork, stillages, storage solutions, workshop guards, and safety barriers for non-construction industry applications.
• Forjj E-commerce Brand E-commerce sub-brand launched in 2019 providing direct nationwide distribution of standard Steelcraft designs including Juliet balconies, railings, and gates. Offers products that comply with UK Building Regulations, British Standards, NHBC Technical Guidelines, and BS EN 1090.
• Sabre Locker Custom-designed storage locker developed for The Army Reserve, built to accommodate soldiers' bulky kit with shelves and rails configured specifically for military equipment. Features larger size, stronger construction, and customized layout.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% of manufactured products fitted by Steelcraft's own installation crews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alpha Rail: UK manufacturer of architectural metalwork including railings, gates, and fencing. Directly comparable as a regional fabricator serving UK construction, housebuilding, and public sector with similar product breadth and project-based model.
• Sapphire Balustrades Ltd: UK specialist in stainless steel and glass balustrades plus architectural metalwork. Comparable product mix (balustrades, balconies, handrails) and a similar vertically integrated design, manufacture, install proposition.
• ACS Stainless Steel Balustrades: UK balustrade and balcony fabricator with national reach. Comparable in stainless steel and glass systems, serving residential developers and commercial contractors — overlapping with Steelcraft's core customer base.
• Trojan Balcony Systems: UK specialist in Juliet balcony systems with national distribution. Direct competitor on Steelcraft's flagship Forjj product line and to the bespoke balcony installations sold to housebuilders.
• Jack Aluminium Systems: UK manufacturer of aluminium balcony and balustrade systems for residential developers. Comparable on Juliet balcony and structural balcony offerings, with similar housebuilder customer profile.
• Richard Baker International: UK architectural metalwork firm producing railings, balustrades, and gates for commercial and residential projects. Comparable in product scope, specification-led project model, and customer overlap with UK housebuilders and contractors.
• Compass Architectural: UK architectural metalwork specialist offering balustrades, staircases, and secondary steelwork. Comparable in the custom fabrication space serving commercial construction with a similar design-through-install service model.

Broad incumbents

• Q-Railing: European balustrade and railing systems manufacturer with broader portfolio and international reach. Comparable in stainless steel, glass, and architectural railing systems; a larger incumbent competing for the same UK specification opportunities.
• Voestalpine Steel & Service Centre: Global steel processing and architectural metalwork group. Comparable as a much larger player in fabricated steel products and architectural applications, with deeper R&D and capital than Steelcraft's regional fabrication model.
• Welser Profile: Austrian-based manufacturer of special steel profiles and architectural metal sections. Comparable as a larger, established supplier serving construction and industrial customers across Europe with overlapping product capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/steelcraftltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Steelcraft