To the outside world, Sheffield steel is a thing of the past, a reminder of an industrial age. Times have changed, but the industry is still a major economic force in the city. In fact, last year, Sheffield produced more steel than in its heyday.
Companies like Special Steel and Forgemasters, the successor to Vickers and British Steel and probably the oldest steel business in the world, have prospered by moving up the value chain, creating high quality engineeredproducts for key industries such as defence, nuclear, oil and gas exploration, power generation, marine and construction.
Sheffield steelmaking is also a high margin business these days. Special Steel has been in the last two Sunday Times' Profit Track surveys, which showcase companies with the highest profit growth.
So, next time someone tells you that steel is a thing of the past, tell them it's also an industry for the future of Sheffield.