BlueScope Distribution is changing the way customers perceive the brand.

Primarily known as a steel distributor, BlueScope Distribution is expanding its capabilities through an extended product range, paired with aluminium processing services.

While BlueScope Distribution has been a long-term player in both the steel and aluminium sectors for many years, most customers’ awareness of the brand is as a steel distributor, processor and solutions provider. However, this perception is changing.

BlueScope Distribution’s range of aluminium sheet, plate, coil and treadplate, as well as standard and customer exclusive extruded products, is regularly expanding. Innovation within the business is well entrenched, with continued focus on improving the products, processing and solutions offered to customers in the steel and aluminium space.

BlueScope Distribution is not just all about products, it also adds value by offering aluminium processing services to its customers.

The company’s capabilities include flat plate and sheet profiling by CNC router cutting, slitting of coil, shearing custom lengths, guillotining, CNC drill, tap and etching. This provides efficiencies for customers because they receive processed products that are fit for purpose, which reduces handling and fabrication required on arrival. Furthermore, customers can free up time and reduce costs, enabling them to invest in other development opportunities within their business.

Other solutions from BlueScope Distribution include project management capabilities, end to end supply chain solutions, consignment stock, as well as innovative ways of supplying pre-cut components in kit form.

“Our kitting solutions enable us to supply customers with finished, pre-cut components which they focus on assembling into their own end user products,” BlueScope Distribution national aluminium manager Brad White said.

These kitting solutions have been particularly popular with BlueScope Distribution’s marine customers and are also available for the transport, defence, mining, leisure and agricultural industries.

White said that the business also makes the effort to learn about a customer’s business from front to back of house, which allows it to facilitate the most appropriate aluminium product and supply solutions.

“Having strong industry knowledge and a focus on listening to customer needs are other factors in which BlueScope Distribution is different to most,” he said.

“We take the time to learn what clients require so that we can offer them a complete solution complementing product, service and value. If a customer needs seven or eight different aluminium products, we’re committed to providing the full suite of products, not just the basic readily available ones, but the more complex ones to source.”

Also, to provide more efficient access to BlueScope Distribution’s processing solutions, the company now offers coil shearing services from its facility in Westall in Melbourne. The additional processing is highlighted by the ability to shear coils into cut sheets of up to 4mm in gauge, 900mm to 1,500mm wide at sheet lengths of up to 6 metres long.

BlueScope Distribution is able to offer its customers an extensive product range comprising of three, five, six and seven thousand series aluminium alloys with numerous temper variants, each with different characteristics to suit specific or generic applications like corrosion-resistance, strength levels, wear resistance and suitability for hot and cold treatments. A number of finishes are also available including mill finish, mill bright, mill enhanced, polished, and linished.

The BlueScope Distribution range of products is assessed on an ongoing basis and is regularly adjusted to ensure the company is keeping up with the latest global trends, innovations and customer requirements.

With metropolitan locations in all state capital cities as well as regional locations totalling 16 sites, BlueScope Distribution is well placed to deliver its range of aluminium products right across Australia.

“Our expanded processing capabilities will ensure that we continue to provide our clients with a reliable, high-quality service, while also offering the convenience of a single point of contact for all of their aluminium and steel requirements,” White said.

For added peace of mind, BlueScope Distribution’s range of aluminium products comply with Australian Standards in accordance with AS/NZS 1866:1997 and AS/NZS 1734:1997, as well as other industry specific standards like ASTM, AAMA, IS and EN.

The company has also recently become a “distribution member” of the Australian Aluminium Council, the country’s peak association representing the aluminium industry. BlueScope Distribution’s involvement with the Council will enable its teams to stay informed on the latest industry information and trends, providing customers with up-to-date details related to the aluminium products they use and standards maintained and upheld.

For more information about BlueScope Distribution’s aluminium services, visit www.bluescopedistribution.com.au/aluminium-suppliers.

For over 55 years, Manufacturers’ Monthly has lead and informed Australia’s manufacturing industries with its highly credible editorial environment and its acclaimed analysis of issues affecting manufacturing