About Overview
AKM Steels is a steel stockholder with a specialism in high quality tool steel for the engineering industry. What sets us apart is our exclusive trading relationship with our main supplier Dörrenberg Edelstahl in Germany, combined with our expert technical knowledge and desire to provide quality products and customer service.
History
AKM steels was set up as a family business in the 1980’s to supply quality tool steel to the engineering sector. It has grown steadily for the last 30+ years and in 2019, it was acquired by and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Bird Stainless, an independent leading specialist stainless steel stockholder and processor (www.birdstst.com), with over 25 years’ experience and knowledge, giving immediate access to the best stockholding of high strength stainless steels, combined with ‘state-of-the-art’ in-house processing facilities.
AKM offers a full range of traditional grades of popular tool steels such as O1, O2, D2, D3, D6, A2, H11, H13 & P20, and also a range of high speed, powder metallurgy (e.g. PMD23 & PMDV4) and next generation tool steels, all designed to help solve problems and improve die life to make your customers more productive.
AKM today
Our parent company Bird Stainless is a friendly, private family-owned, independent stockholder and processor, specialising in the supply of precision-ground stainless steel long bar to both UK & overseas markets. This gives you a one-stop-shop with immediate access to not only tool steels, but the best “ready-to-ship” stockholding of high-strength stainless steels, combined with in-house cutting and grinding facilities, 25 years’ experience and a metallurgist in the team to advise you.
Supplier – Dörrenberg Edelstahl
There is hardly any tool steel made in the UK anymore, however AKM Steels are proud to be the exclusive UK Agent for Dörrenberg Edelstahl, a relationship forged over 20 years ago. With over 150 years of experience in the production of tool steels and castings, Dörrenberg are one of Germany’s largest suppliers to the automotive, forging and extrusion industries, supplying markets in Europe, America, and the Far East. AKM have extensive stocks here in the UK, with an additional stock capacity held at Dörrenberg in Germany, where they have one of the largest tool steel stores in Europe.
Quality
Being a family business, we are committed to providing quality goods and services, with excellent customer service (ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Accreditation). We strive for customer satisfaction, as our reputation is everything. We will go the extra mile to answer your queries, find the right grade and specification for your needs, sourcing in depth technical help from the steel mill Dörrenberg when necessary.
Meet the team
Nigel Bird
Managing Director
Nigel is the Owner of Bird Stainless the parent company of AKM. Nigel has spent most of his working life in Bird Stainless and so has steel running through his veins! Following his law degree, he took over the running of Bird Stainless from his father back in 1990. He is currently driving the business growth, expanding into new market sectors both in the UK and overseas.
Mark Gee
Sales Manager
It was Mark’s father, Michael Gee, who set AKM Steels up in 1985 to supply quality products to the tool steel industry. Mark took over at the helm as Managing Director in 1993, having already gained tool steel expertise in other leading European steel businesses.
Email: sales@akmsteels.co.uk
Mallory Whitehurst
Sales Manager
Mallory is who you will meet if you want to see someone to discuss your requirements. Well versed in tool steel, he has worked in this market for over 25 years, for other companies as well as running his own tool steel business for 7 years.
Email: sales@akmsteels.co.uk
Julie Harrison
Sales & Estimating
Julie joined the sales team back in 2011. An experienced sales professional, she has worked in sales management in varied sectors: confectionery, metals, recruitment and telecommunications. Contact Julie for quotes and advice
Email: sales@akmsteels.co.uk
Caroline Magretton
Sales Executive
Caroline brings with her several years of sales experience from various different industries. Having previously sold aluminium and plastics in all different forms, Caroline is now turning her attention to tool & stainless steel. Contact Caroline for quotes and advice.
Email: sales@birdstst.com
Bill Innes
Sales Manager / Metallurgist
Bill is one of the longest serving employees of the company having joined back in 2000. Bill trained as a Metallurgist and has degrees in both Production Metallurgy and Business Management and has worked in steel all his career. Contact Bill for specialist metallurgy advice.
Email: bill@birdstst.com
Ellie Bird
Junior Sales Executive
Ellie joined the family business after recently graduating from university. Ellie has joined the Sales team to develop her skills and apply her knowledge of the steel industry, as well as carrying out ambitious expansion plans. Contact Ellie for quotes & advice.
Email: sales@akmsteels.co.uk
Nick Elliot
Sales & Estimating
Nick joined the team in 2007 and has spent over 30 years in the steel / metal trading market. Contact Nick for quotes and advice.
Email: sales@akmsteels.co.uk
Karen McFadden
Sales & Estimating
Karen joined AKM in 2017, having worked in the Civil Service for 30 years, in both Work & Pensions and the Office for National Statistics. Karen is likely to be the first person you will speak to, she will put together your quotes and process your orders.
Email: sales@birdstst.com
Paula Gibson
Technical Executive
Paula manages the IT / technical aspects of the business and ad hoc project work such as the Customer Satisfaction Survey. Prior to working here she ran her own Computer / IT business.
Email: paula@birdstst.com
Harry Bird
Operations Manager
Harry joined the family business a few years ago and is now the Operations Manager. His role is to ensure the smooth running of the Production Facility. Contact Harry with any Production related queries.
Email: harry@birdstst.com
Michelle Armitage
Accounts Dept
Michelle joined Bird Stainless over a year ago and deals with all Sales & Purchase Ledger. You can contact Michelle with any queries on your account.
Email: accounts@birdstst.com
Kim Williamson
Receptionist / Despatch
Being on reception Kim is likely to be the colleague you speak to first when you phone AKM and the one delivery drivers see when they collect despatches. She can also help with any despatch queries on existing orders.
Email: despatch@birdstst.com