Steel & Tube

The following recounts our proud history of more than 70 years of trading. Starting from our humble beginnings in 1953, focusing on the highlights and major changes.

1953 - By Merging the interests of steel merchandising companies Stewarts & Lloyds of NZ Ltd, The Iron & Steel Company of NZ Ltd, McLean & todd Limited

1967 - Steel & Tube becomes a public company and listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange

1970's - Embarked on a business growth strategy expanding Steel & tube's field of activities, leading to the creation of Steel & Tube Holdings Limited acquired a number of well-known companies of the time

1980 - Fletcher Metals Limited became the largest shareholder n 1980 when it acquired 24.92% of the Steel & tube from British Steel Corporation 

1985 - Tubemakers of Australia entered into the Company's share registry in 1985 when it acquired 8.8%

Mid 1980's - Growth strategy that significantly diversified activities away from Steel & Tube's core business. Investments: New Zealand Motor Corporation Limited, a retailer, importer and assembler of motor vehicles. Domtrac Equipment, specialising in sales of heavy machinery and trucks. Healing Industries, a manufacturer of paint, chemical, cycles and rubber tyres. 25% ownership: New Zealand Steel Limited

1988 - Economic downturn resulted in a financial loss. Strategic direction was re-evaluated which saw a return to core business: the distribution of steel and allied products and base metal manufacturing.

Later 1980's - By the late 1980s Steel & Tube Holdings Limited became one of the largest industrial businesses in New Zealand, employing approximately 4,000 people with annual sales in the vicinity of $NZ670 million

1988 - 1995 - Restructuring programme and non core business sold. Return to core business being: the distribution of steel and allied products and base metal manufacturing. 

1993 - Steel & Tube purpose designed building in Napier. The structure put all stock undercover and afforded time efficiencies owning to easy access for truck loading and unloading

1995 - Steel & tube embarked on an overseas expansion plan resulting in the purchase of a Canadian based steel distribution business, jointly with major shareholder, Tubemakers (now Onesteel Limited). The investment was sold in 2001 following a change in strategic direction. 

1999 - Company restructure which commenced in 1988, was finally completed when the engineering business of Robt Stone & Company Limited and Southern Cross Engineering were sold.

2000 - Steel & Tube became the first steel distribution business anywhere to operate solely through electronic commerce. 

2003 - 50 Years in Business since incorporation in December 1953

2009 - New CE0 Dave Taylor commenced his role on 5 October 2009. CEO Nick Calavrias stepped down in April 2009 after 19 years leading the Company. 

2011 - A year of major changes to the way Steel & Tube operates, consolidation and optimising of operations, reorganisation of the structure and moving away from the product to product approach. A new brand was rolled out across the country as a visual symbol of change and this reinvigoration of the Company. 

2012 - Steel & Tube celebrates the 80th anniversary of its popular and iconic Hurricane product range. 

2012 - Arrium Relinquishes it 50.3% of Steel & tube becomes 100% New Zealand owned with the majority of shares taken up by institutional investors and a third of shares taken up by retail investors. 

2013 - A remarkable achievement and stands as testament to the loyalty of customers, fortitude of Steel & Tube people, and endurance of the organisation as a whole.

2014 - Steel & Tube completed acquisition of Tata Steel International Australasia Ltd (TSIAL). SInce renamed as S&T Stainless, the business complemented our existing range of stainless steel, engineering steels and added composite floor decks offering to the New Zealand and Pacific Island markets. 

2015 - Steel & Tube completed acquisition of Manufacturing Suppliers Ltd, also known as Fortress Fasteners, and its related companies. Extended S&T's business as New Zealand's pre eminent fastenings company, providing expertise and a wider range of specialist steel knowledge and solutions. 

2015 - Steel & Tube completed acquisition of Canterbury based Aquaduct and Bosch Irrigation. since renamed as S&T Plastics, the business complemented our existing range of pipe, valve and accessories range, offering high quality irrigation and water distribution solutions, and the specialist expertise. 

2016 - Steel & Tube completed acquisition of the business of Composite Floor Decks LImited (CFDL). S&T's relationship with the business as our distributor and installer of ComFlor had been in place since 2005, when it was formed by its UK based parent company to service the New Zealand market. The acquisition enhanced our supply and install capability for steel floor decking systems. 

2017 - Appointment of Mark Malpass as Chief Executive Officer 

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