Outokumpu the global producer of high performance stainless steel, IMS group and Sidenor have announced an agreement where IMS will act as an exclusive distributor of Prodec® high machinability round bars in key European countries including Germany, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The companies announced last year a similar contract for Belgium and the Netherlands.
With the agreement Outokumpu and Sidenor will provide Prodec high machinability round bars covering the full dimension range from 6 to 230mm.
IMS group is a leading European special and stainless steel bar distributor with 49 distribution centres, in more than 10 European countries.
Says John Stansfield, head of sales for Outokumpu Long Products Europe: This agreement with IMS ensures stainless steel long products customers will have easy access to Prodec stainless steel with a short lead time. We look forward to working and expanding our cooperation with the IMS team to communicate the benefits of Prodec to the machining industry.
Prodec grades offer industrys best machining speeds. According to tests (V15 test), Prodec can improve machining speeds significantly, resulting in a double tool life compared to competing materials in the market. By using Outokumpu Prodec, customers can optimize machining speeds to gain significant cost savings per component (up to 50% savings depending on the application).
IMS will offer Prodec round bars in the complete size range from 6mm to 230mm and beyond if requested. Prodec range is available in grades 304L/4307, 316L/4404 and 303/4305, and 17-4PH. These are suitable for a variety of machining applications such as fasteners, valves, pressure fittings, nuts, bolts and screws, gears, shafts, and bearings.
Image courtesy of Outokumpu