Westbrook Energy Group Rebrands as OneWest: A Strategic Move to Strengthen Forging Operations

Westbrook Energy Group

In a significant shift for the forging industry, Westbrook Energy Group has officially rebranded as OneWest. This move consolidates the company’s various acquisitions into a more unified identity, signaling the group’s ambition to strengthen its position in new markets. The rebrand integrates key operations, including Forge USA, Viking Iron Works, and Western of Texas, under a new umbrella, OneWest Manufacturing Partners. However, Westbrook Manufacturing, Federal Flange, and Forged Components will remain separate brands, continuing their individual operations.

Streamlining Operations Under OneWest Manufacturing Partners

OneWest’s rebrand reflects the company’s strategic decision to unify its core operations while retaining individual brands where appropriate. Viking Iron Works, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, manufactures custom open die forgings for aerospace and industrial markets. With a capacity of up to 2,600 pounds, the company also provides heat treating, machining, and testing services. Viking handles a diverse range of materials, including carbon and alloy steels, as well as titanium grades, to produce seamless rings, disks, and bars.

Forge USA, based in Houston, Texas, focuses on producing open die forgings ranging from 1,000 to 55,000 pounds for similar industries. In addition to heat treating, Forge USA specializes in carbon, alloy, and stainless steels. The company plays a vital role in meeting the growing demands of various industrial sectors.

Western of Texas, situated in Kountze, Texas, specializes in flanges for oil and gas, petrochemical, and mining industries. The company’s expertise lies in producing custom forgings, including rings, disks, and blocks, weighing up to 55,000 pounds. Western of Texas works with stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, and low-temperature alloys to serve its diverse clientele.

No Disruption to Operations or Customer Commitments

Despite the integration of these key operations, OneWest emphasized that the restructuring will not disrupt ongoing operations or affect customer commitments. This strategic move aims to enhance the company’s ability to serve its clients more efficiently while solidifying its presence in key markets.

TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation reshapes UK titanium scrap and alloy supply

TiVac

TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation marks a major shift in UK ferro-titanium production and scrap demand. The TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation follows months of weak prices and high power costs that crushed already thin margins. As a result, the TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation will tighten local alloy supply while forcing scrap dealers to rethink export strategies.

TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation driven by power costs and weak prices

TiVac shut its Sheffield ferro-titanium operations because the UK cost base became unsustainable. Electricity costs stayed high while ferro-titanium prices slid toward five-year lows, leaving many contracts barely profitable. The company had nameplate capacity of 1,500 t/month, but operated closer to 500–600 t/month recently.

The TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation now triggers a full wind-down of production and scrap processing. All buildings, furnaces, crushers, equipment and land will be sold as part of the dissolution process. This closes two key Sheffield sites at Oakes Green and Blackburn Road, both long-standing hubs for processing titanium scrap into ferro-titanium.

TiVac operated under a conversion model for major traders and alloy specialists. It processed scrap and produced ferro-titanium for FE Mottram (now fully under Metraco), Metals and Alloys International, and Westbrook Light Alloys. However, this model could not withstand prolonged low prices and high UK input costs.

Supply shifts to Estonia as UK scrap faces pressure

Market logistics will now pivot as Metraco rebalances its ferro-titanium footprint. The group plans to rely on its Ti Q plant in Ahtme, Estonia, which has 600 t/month nameplate capacity and can expand further using a second furnace. Long-term UK contracts will first draw on inventory and then transition gradually to Estonian output.

Westbrook has also moved to protect its customer base during the TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation. The company expects to meet its long-term obligations from existing stock while it evaluates strategic options. Meanwhile, idle capacity at other European producers should absorb most of the lost TiVac volume, limiting short-term price impact.

The biggest immediate shock from the TiVac ferro-titanium liquidation will hit the UK titanium scrap market. TiVac’s disappearance removes a significant local buyer of titanium scrap, especially revert and offcuts suitable for FeTi production. If dealers hesitate to export to the EU because of added logistics and paperwork, domestic UK scrap prices could face downward pressure.

The closure also reshapes the UK ferro-titanium landscape. Sheffield-based Transition Metals now becomes the sole domestic producer of ferro-titanium in the UK. However, overall regional supply will remain balanced in the near term, because inventory and spare capacity at other European plants can cover reduced UK output. The longer-term question is whether UK-based ferro-titanium production can remain viable without structural relief on power and operating costs.

The Metalnomist Commentary

TiVac’s liquidation highlights how energy costs and weak alloy prices can quickly erode Europe’s titanium recycling base. For mills and superalloy buyers, supply will likely remain secure, but more material will flow through continental hubs rather than UK converters. For titanium scrap generators, the real challenge now is finding efficient export routes and maintaining value in a softer domestic market.