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History
One of the longest established steel distributing and processing businesses in the U.K. has developed into one of Europe's premier steel plate companies.
A Brief History
Brown McFarlane was founded in 1889 by Captain A.R. Brown, a former P & O Chief Officer. Captain Brown had worked in the Far East since 1868 charting and surveying the coastline of Japan for the Japanese government of the time.
At the end of the 19th century Captain Brown joined forces with George McFarlane, a naval architect, to establish A R Brown McFarlane & Co Ltd based in Glasgow.
The company was initially involved in building ships for the Japanese and in the export of machinery and other capital equipment to Japan. It evolved as a trader to supplying a wider market and opened a London office in 1915 followed by more offices in Antwerp, New York, and Tokyo all supported by a worldwide agent network. In the meantime its business became more centred on the supply of steel products.
As the 20th century progressed the emphasis of Brown McFarlane’s business gradually shifted until steel plate stockholding became its exclusive activity with a concentration on supplying the engineering industry in the United Kingdom. Even so the company retained a small share in a Japanese trading house (which it still holds) reminding it of its roots in the Far East and heralding its spectacular overseas growth in the first decade of the 21st century.
Today, more than 120 years on, the founding family still owns the business with Captain Brown’s great, great, grandson representing the fifth generation of Browns to be active in the business.
Brown McFarlane is proudly independent of any steel manufacturer and continues to grow organically and through acquisition.