The Expanded Metal Co

What The Expanded Metal Co does

The Expanded Metal Company Ltd is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer of expanded metal mesh, founded in 1889 and headquartered at Stranton Works in Hartlepool. The company produces expanded metal mesh — metal sheets that have been simultaneously slit and stretched to form a pattern of diamond-shaped openings — in mild steel, pre-galvanised steel, aluminium, and stainless steel, each available in flattened, raised, and (for galvanised and stainless variants) Experf configurations. Its portfolio is extended by two sub-brands: ExMesh Engineering (security fencing, gates, cages and fabrication) and ArchiTex (architectural mesh), and the company also offers bespoke design, cutting, bending, folding and joining as a standalone fabrication service or complement to mesh supply.

The business operates a direct-to-customer B2B model through two channels: a multi-currency e-commerce storefront (GBP, EUR, USD, CAD) with sample ordering for product evaluation, and a field/inside sales team handling enterprise and bespoke requirements. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. It serves at least nine application segments including filtration, security & defence, buildings & construction, architectural, automotive, engineering & fabrication, agriculture, acoustic, and crafts & DIY, with filtration, security & defence, construction, architectural, and automotive treated as primary verticals.

The company is 100% independent, with no parent, no subsidiaries, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no external investors referenced. Recent strategic activity has focused on digital modernization (a 2025 partnership with Made Smarter Adoption North East), brand-building across sub-brands and social channels (Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), and trade-show presence at EMCON 2025 (security & defence) and Filtech 2026 (filtration). The company maintains an international partner association with the Meiser-Group.

Name

The Expanded Metal Co

Legal name

The Expanded Metal Company Ltd

Website

https://expandedmetalcompany.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Expanded Metal Company is a UK-based manufacturer of expanded metal mesh in mild steel, galvanised steel, aluminium and stainless steel, serving filtration, security & defence, construction, architectural, automotive and related industrial customers via direct e-commerce and field sales, with bespoke fabrication and sub-brands ExMesh Engineering and ArchiTex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Metal Mesh Manufacturing

NAICS

Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing (332323), All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)

akta.pro primary industry

Steel Plate, Sections & Welded Assemblies (IMADACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE), Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems) (IMAKACAM)

Keywords

• Expanded metal mesh
• Metal fabrication services
• Architectural mesh products
• Security fencing systems
• Industrial filtration mesh

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartlepool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Mesh Products Sales: Direct sales of expanded metal mesh products in various metals (mild steel, pre-galvanised steel, aluminium, stainless steel) in different configurations (flattened, raised, experf). Revenue generated from product sales to industrial customers.
2. Custom Fabrication Services: Bespoke metal fabrication services including cutting, bending, folding, and joining of expanded metal mesh. Services can complement their mesh products or serve as standalone fabrication projects for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Expanded Metal Company manufactures and sells expanded metal mesh sheets and panels in mild steel, pre-galvanised steel, aluminium, and stainless steel, available in flattened, raised, and Experf patterns. It complements these products with bespoke design services and in-house fabrication capabilities (cutting, bending, folding, joining) that can be supplied standalone or alongside mesh products for industrial customers in filtration, security & defence, building & construction, architectural, and automotive sectors.

Product overview

The Expanded Metal Company is a world-renowned manufacturer of expanded metal mesh solutions. The core product portfolio is organized around metal types—Mild Steel, Pre-galvanised Steel, Aluminum, and Stainless Steel—each available in flattened, raised, and Experf patterns. The company offers a complementary fabrication services division providing design, cutting, bending, folding, and joining capabilities that either complement their mesh products or operate as standalone services. Two sub-brands extend the portfolio: ExMesh Engineering focuses on security fencing and gates, while ArchiTex serves the architectural mesh market. Samples are available for customer evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ExMesh™ Engineering: Security fencing, gates, cages and fabrication services division.
• ArchiTex
• Experf

Products and services

• Mild Steel Expanded Metal Mesh Expanded metal mesh manufactured from mild steel, available in flattened and raised patterns, used across filtration, architectural, automotive, and construction applications.
• Pre-galvanised Steel Expanded Metal Mesh Expanded metal mesh made from pre-galvanised steel, offered in Experf, flattened, and raised configurations, providing corrosion resistance for outdoor and industrial applications.
• Aluminium Expanded Metal Mesh Lightweight expanded metal mesh manufactured from aluminium, available in flattened and raised patterns, used in architectural, filtration, and general industrial applications.
• Stainless Steel Expanded Metal Mesh Durable expanded metal mesh in stainless steel, available in Experf, flattened, and raised styles, suitable for applications requiring corrosion resistance and hygiene standards.
• Metal Mesh Samples Sample mesh products available for customers to evaluate material properties and patterns before placing bulk orders.
• Fabrication and Design Services Metal fabrication services including cutting, bending, folding, and joining, with collaborative bespoke design, supplied either alongside mesh products or as standalone fabrication projects for industrial customers.
• ExMesh Engineering Security Range Sub-brand range of security fencing, gates, cages, and protective barriers for security and defence customers, with dedicated resource centre and newsletter.
• ArchiTex Architectural Mesh Sub-brand architectural mesh range with dedicated architectural brochures, technical guides, and project information for architectural design applications.

Named customers3 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Made Smarter Adoption North EastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital transformation partnership to grow business capacity and position the company as a digital champion. The manufacturer worked with Made Smarter to adopt smart technologies and future-proof the century-old business.
• Meiser-GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner network association. The Meiser-Group is a manufacturer and distributor of expanded metal and perforated metal products, operating globally.
• ExMesh EngineeringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated brand/resource centre for security fencing, gates, cages and fabrication services. Separate website (exmeshengineering.com) with dedicated newsletter and resource centre.
• ArchiTexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated brand for architectural mesh range with dedicated resource centre (architexmesh.com) offering architectural brochures, technical guides and project information.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• McNICHOLS: US-headquartered metal products service center carrying expanded metal, perforated metal, and wire mesh. Overlaps with EMC on expanded metal products and shares a multi-metal, multi-configuration catalog approach serving construction, architectural, and industrial buyers.
• Dexmet Corporation: US-based specialty manufacturer of precision-expanded and perforated metal foils and polymers. Comparable as a direct competitor in expanded metal mesh, particularly for filtration and architectural applications, with overlapping material and configuration offerings.
• Direct Metals Company: US distributor and processor of expanded and perforated metal products. Comparable because it sells the same core product categories to overlapping architectural, filtration, and industrial customer segments.
• Niles Expanded Metals: US manufacturer of expanded metal products and a recognized brand (Metalex) in the expanded metal category. Closely matches EMC's core activity of expanded metal mesh manufacturing for industrial and architectural customers.
• Expanded Metal Corporation: US-based expanded metal mesh manufacturer with a broad product range across metals and patterns. Directly comparable product portfolio and end-market mix to EMC, particularly for industrial and architectural applications.
• Meiser-Group: German-headquartered global manufacturer of expanded metal, perforated metal, and grating products. Directly comparable because it operates in the same expanded/perforated metal category with overlapping end markets (architecture, filtration, security, construction) and is already an EMC international partner.

Broad incumbents

• ArcelorMittal: World's largest steel producer with extensive downstream and value-added product operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the metals supply chain whose downstream offerings overlap with EMC's steel-based expanded metal mesh in construction and industrial applications.
• Tata Steel: Global integrated steel producer with downstream product portfolios that include mesh and fabricated metal products. Comparable as a much larger incumbent supplying into overlapping construction, automotive, and industrial channels; EMC competes against its broader offerings rather than head-to-head on specialist mesh.

Regional players

• Murray Steel Products: UK steel products manufacturer and processor serving construction and industrial customers. Adjacent in product scope (steel-based fabricated products) and UK end-market exposure, with partial overlap on fabricated metal supply.
• Stewart Brothers (Expanded Metal): UK-based manufacturer of expanded metal products. Closely comparable product category and customer base, but operates primarily in the UK market, mirroring EMC's home-market concentration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoJVP4yntgJYoY0tt4Xq-Iw
• Facebookfacebook.com/theexpandedmetalcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-expanded-metal-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/theexpandedmetalcompany
• TikToktiktok.com/@expandedmetalco
• Xx.com/expandedmetalco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Expanded Metal Co