Bion

Name

Bion

Legal name

Robert Bion & Co Ltd

Website

https://bion.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bion (Robert Bion & Co Ltd) is a 60-year-old UK-based manufacturer specialising in bespoke perforated metal and plastic components, supplying OEM manufacturers across architectural, automotive, electronics, filtration and white goods sectors with next-day UK delivery and custom finishing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Perforated Metal and Plastic Product Sales: One-time sales of perforated metal and plastic products including sheets, coils, and custom fabricated components. Products are sold in standard stock formats as well as bespoke custom orders. Revenue is generated through direct product transactions with no recurring subscription component.
2. Consignment Stock Holding: Bion offers consignment stock holding arrangements for customers with specific stock sheet needs, providing ongoing supply relationships beyond single transactions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Bion manufactures and supplies bespoke perforated metal and plastic sheets, coils, and components for OEM manufacturers across multiple industries, including stainless steel, mild/galvanised steel, aluminium, plastics, and exotic materials. Capabilities span metal perforating, coil-to-coil processing, CNC levelling, turret punching, and in-house tooling design/manufacturing. Standard stock sheets are sold through an e-commerce shop with next-day UK delivery, while custom and bulk orders are fulfilled via direct sales.

Product overview

Bion (Robert Bion & Co Ltd) is a leading UK-based manufacturer and online retailer of bespoke perforated metal and plastic solutions, founded in 1964. The company operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offering metal perforating (round, square, hexagonal holes, slots), coil-to-coil processing, CNC levelling, finishing services (turret punching, degreasing), and in-house tooling capabilities. Their product portfolio includes perforated stainless steel sheets (304, 316, 430 grades), perforated mild steel and galvanised steel sheets, perforated aluminium sheets (1000, 5000, 6000 series), perforated plastic sheets (polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylic, PVC, ABS), and exotic materials (copper, brass, titanium, superalloys). Products are available through their online shop for next-day delivery or as bespoke custom orders. The company also provides finishing services via subcontractor partnerships for painting, powder coating, and anodising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Perforated Stainless Steel Sheets Custom perforated stainless steel sheets available in 304, 316 (300 series), 430 (400 series), and Duplex grades, used for filtration, cladding, gas burners, and oil and gas filters.
• Perforated Mild Steel Sheets Perforated mild steel (low carbon steel) and galvanised steel sheets for structural applications, cladding, security doors, server racks, and balustrading.
• Perforated Aluminium Sheets Perforated aluminium sheets in 1000, 5000, and 6000 series grades for facades, balconies, balustrades, light fittings, and baking trays.
• Perforated Plastic Sheets Perforated plastic sheets including polypropylene (PPC/PPH), polycarbonate, acrylic, PVC, ABS, and polyethylene for ventilation, filtration, moulds, and electrical applications.
• Perforated Exotic Materials Specialist perforation of copper, brass, zinc, titanium (grades 1-5), and superalloys (Hastelloy, Incoloy) for aerospace, automotive, and high-end filtration applications.
• Coil to Coil Perforating Service High-volume continuous perforating service where metal coils are unwound, perforated, and rewound, allowing customers to receive material ready for their production processes or have their own coils processed.
• CNC Levelling Service CNC levelling service that flattens perforated metal sheets to remove warping and distortion, ensuring uniform flatness for architectural and industrial applications.
• Finishing Services Comprehensive finishing services including turret punching, degreasing, and coordination of subcontractor services for painting, powder coating, and anodising, providing a one-stop perforated solution.
• Custom Tooling Design and Manufacturing In-house design and machining of precision perforation tooling to exacting tolerances, with capability for hole sizes as small as 0.8mm and widths up to 1600mm.
• Online Shop for Standard Stock Perforated Sheets E-commerce platform offering next-day UK mainland delivery of standard perforated stock sheets in stainless steel, aluminium, galvanised steel, and polypropylene, with pricing publicly listed per pack of 2.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 48 hours turnaround for emergency server rack orders including material sourcing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tata SteelminorOthers · 13 March 2018Tata Steel supported Bion's STEM education initiatives and charity events, making donations and participating in activities including fundraising for Parkinson's research and contributing to primary STEM gatherings. They donated STEM-related prizes and participated in community events.
• EEF (Engineering Employers Federation)minorOthers · 13 March 2018EEF collaborated with Bion and Leighton Park STEM hub to deliver the Lego Kanban factory game at primary STEM events, helping teach children about manufacturing and productivity improvements.
• Leighton Park SchoolminorOthers · 13 March 2018Bion is a key member of the Leighton Park STEM hub and collaborates with the school on STEM education initiatives, including hosting Big Bang Interactive events for primary school students.
• Enhanced ComputersminorOthers · 13 March 2018Enhanced Computers donated STEM-related prizes to support Bion's STEM education initiatives at local primary school events.
• Fortis RecruitmentminorOthers · 13 March 2018Fortis Recruitment donated STEM-related prizes to support Bion's STEM education initiatives at local primary school events.
• Magal EngineeringminorOthers · 13 March 2018Magal Engineering donated STEM-related prizes to support Bion's STEM education initiatives at local primary school events.
• Wilson ToolsminorOthers · 13 March 2018Wilson Tools donated STEM-related prizes to support Bion's STEM education initiatives at local primary school events.
• Subcontractor NetworkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBion has established relationships with subcontractors for finishing services including painting, powder coating, and anodising, providing a one-stop solution for customers requiring formed and painted products.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• RMIG: Danish-headquartered global leader in perforated metal with manufacturing across Europe. Directly comparable to Bion as a bespoke perforated metal specialist serving architectural, acoustic, filtration, and industrial OEM customers; the principal European scale competitor.
• Haver & Boecker / W.S. Tyler: German heritage global manufacturer of woven wire cloth and perforated metal screens, with a UK/European trading presence. Comparable to Bion in filtration, screening, and architectural perforated products, and operates at significantly larger scale.
• Direct Metals Company: US-based perforated metal and wire mesh supplier with both stock and custom fabrication. Similar dual-channel model to Bion serving roofing, architectural, and industrial OEM customers across North America.
• Dexmet Corporation: US manufacturer specializing in precision expanded and perforated metals, foils, and polymers for aerospace, filtration, and energy storage applications. Comparable to Bion's exotic materials capability (titanium, superalloys) and high-precision tooling for tight-tolerance work.
• Arrow Metal: UK-based perforated and architectural metal specialist focused on bespoke panels for façades, balustrades, and interior architecture. Closest direct competitor in the UK architectural perforation niche, supplying similar projects to those served by Bion.
• Marco Specialty Steel: US distributor and processor of perforated metal, wire mesh, and architectural metals. Comparable product portfolio to Bion's stock sheet range (stainless, aluminium, galvanised) and serves overlapping filtration, architectural, and industrial segments.
• Hendrick Manufacturing: US perforated metal manufacturer with custom perforating, finishing, and fabrication capabilities serving architectural, industrial, and OEM customers. Comparable operating model to Bion with similar coil-to-coil and finishing service offerings.
• The Expanded Metal Company: UK-based manufacturer of expanded metal mesh and perforated metal products for construction, security, filtration, and industrial applications. Direct UK competitor overlapping in stock and bespoke perforated sheet supply for the same end-markets.
• McNICHOLS: Largest North American perforated metal and wire mesh supplier with an online e-commerce stock model (next-day delivery on standard items) and custom fabrication services. Operates the same dual B2B + e-commerce channel that Bion runs in the UK, serving architectural, industrial, and OEM customers.

Regional players

• Pol Perforation: French perforated metal specialist serving the French-speaking European market with similar bespoke perforation and finishing capabilities. Operates in the same European region as Bion with overlapping customer types but focuses on the Francophone market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/robertbion
• Facebookfacebook.com/RobertBion

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Bion