About Us

Supporting the UK construction industry

Founded in 1965 in County Durham, Birtley began operating as a small structural steel business, opening on 19th July that year. Originally steel fabricators for the mining industry, Birtley added steel lintels to its product range in 1967 and by 1979 was a credible building industry specialist, with depots across the country. In 1996, Birtley commissioned and built a brand new plant, establishing one of Europe’s most advanced facilities for hot dipped galvanizing which remains fully operational today.

Trusted by generations of builders, UK firm Birtley Lintels is the only lintel manufacture to hot-dip galvanize lintel products after fabrication. This process supplies up to 50% more zinc protection against corrosion than other approved coatings.

We produce lintels for cavity, solid and internal walls and timber frames along with custom profiles, mitres and curves. Our Supatherm range of thermally broken lintels can deliver an 80% reduction in heat loss compared with cavity wall lintels. Brick-slip feature lintels, windposts and masonry support systems are also included in our product portfolio.

Teamed with free expert technical support, robust supply chains and national coverage, Birtley Lintels can help with all aspects of lintel specification and scheduling.

Supergalv Lintels
The only full product range to be fully hot-dip galvanized AFTER manufacture for exceptional durability.

Supatherm Lintels
A customisable thermal bridging solution offering over 80% less heat loss than standards lintels.

Special Lintels
Custom products designed and manufactured to individual requirements in either Supergalv finish or stainless steel.

Ultragalv 2000 (U2K)

An economical and powerful alternative to stainless steel lintels.

Comprehensive free technical support
As changing regulations make lintel specification evermore complex, our team is here to take the problem away from builders, specifiers and lintel stockists.

Galvanizing
Coatings to BS EN ISO 1461, provided from one of the most modern plants in Europe.

A brief history of Birtley

1965 – Birtley founded
This follows the acquisition of a small structural steel business G.T. Duncan (Birtley) Ltd by the Birmingham Small Arms Co. Ltd. The company opens for business in Mary Avenue, Birtley, on the 19th July.

1967 – Lintel manufacturing begins
Originally steel fabricators for the local mining industry and power stations, Birtley now adds steel lintels and garage doors to its product range.

1973 – An acknowledged building industry specialist
By now the building industry represents 85% of Birtley’s turnover and profit. This year the company is sold to Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd.

1979 – A move of address
Birtley is now a leading national supplier to the building industry with depots throughout the country. The company moves to a new factory near Newcastle Airport and diversifies into kitchen furniture and galvanizing plant installations.

1980 – The recession bites
The company abandons its kitchen ambitions, but retains galvanizing. Birtley closes its new factory and returns to its original Mary Avenue site.

1981 – A new owner
Birtley is purchased by Hill & Smith Holdings PLC. The company is now back on track, and launches its Supergalv lintel and residential doors ranges. It has also built a substantial sub-contract galvanizing business serving the North East.

1989 – A new name
This year, Birtley Manufacturing Ltd becomes Birtley Building Products Ltd. This reflects the significant increase in the role the company plays within the Hill & Smith Group.

1996 – Taking galvanizing to the next level
Birtley’s brand new plant is completed and commissioned in May. It is one of Europe’s most advanced facilities for hot-dip galvanizing.

2014 – The Birtley Group is established
The Birtley and Expamet brands are brought together under Birtley Group. The group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC.

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