Langley Alloys has not distributed any product originating from Kobe Steel. Our Supplier Approvals system independently verifies all incoming material, so we can categorically confirm we are not affected.
Kobe Steel has been in the news following revelations that employees falsified data on product certifications. As Japan's third-largest steelmaker, manufacturing a wide range of steel, copper, aluminium and titanium products, its materials are used in high-profile applications including Boeing jets, Toyota, Nissan and Ford cars, and the Bullet Train. The materials may well have been made within the agreed specifications, but the lack of transparent, trustworthy qualification is a concern for such sensitive applications.
Why this matters, and where we stand
In an age of global supply chains, Kobe Steel products are distributed around the world, and a number of customers have approached us to check whether metals we supplied are involved. We can confirm that we have not distributed products originating from Kobe Steel.
Langley Alloys operates a robust Supplier Approvals system that enforces independent verification of all incoming material from mills and distributors. We also work closely with, and audit, our material suppliers to ensure they operate at the highest quality level. These activities underpin our accreditation with the British Standards Institute (BSI) for ISO 9001:2008/2015 and AS9100C, and our Quality Management System is subject to routine audit and review by several global customers in the oil and gas sector.