Just as with the other titanium mill products, and indeed other metal products. It can be a difficult process to identify a trusted supplier of titanium tubes. The challenges lie in almost every step in the process. The industry remains very much a siloed world with supply chains established over the course of many years. Coupled with the growth of distuptive manufacturing approaches and emerging technologies the traditional mass production model is starting to decline in favour or rapid, small scale and localised production.
Engineering for many years outsourced to countries with cheap labour is also now being challenged by changing economic forces and the rising cost of shipping. As such engineering is starting to emerge once again from parts of europe where it has lay dormant. The new engineering is rapid, low cost but highly advanced and skilled. Additive manufacturing perhaps the most disruptive of all, and one that even threatens the new form of engineering. Despite all the change the raw materials are still needed and in a high speed consumer model with global resource shrinkage the challenge is exacerbated.
A key material that will support the growth of this highly advanced engineering world is titanium tube. No longer confined to exclusive military applications, the metal can be sourced cheaply and also carries the necessary properties to support engineering in an quickly evolving world. Dubbed the metal of the 21st century it is set to replace steel in usage and with that comes the need to supply it quickly and efficiently.
Decoupled supply chains are essential in a fast moving manufacturing industry and one with purchasing teams demand and suppliers must adapt to accommodate. North Steel understands the changing world and the demands upon suppliers to be able to supply both low and high volume products low cost and in short lead times. To understand how North Steel can help your titanium tube supply contact us for quality titanium at the right prices!