Lichtgitter

New Appointment Strengthens Lichtgitter UK’s Commercial Team

Lichtgitter — 10/06/2025

Lichtgitter UK has strengthened its commercial team with the appointment of Steve Grainger, who brings deep sector knowledge and proven expertise in sales and business development to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Steve joins at a pivotal time for the company, following its recent £6 million investment in a new 40,000 sq ft headquarters in Norton Canes, Cannock. With over 30 years of experience in the steel and steel flooring sectors, his appointment reflects Lichtgitter UK’s commitment to building lasting relationships and deepening its market presence across the UK.

“This is an exciting time. It’s a phenomenal opportunity for the company to grow, become more widely known within the industry, and act as a real launch pad to take things to the next level,” Steve said.

Having spent his entire career in sales and customer-facing roles, Steve brings a natural energy for connection, conversation, and communication. His decision to join Lichtgitter UK was guided not only by the company’s impressive capabilities but by its people and potential.

“It’s a market-leading organisation in its field,” he said. “From what I’ve experienced so far, there’s a fantastic culture here—a great team. I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Steve is especially enthusiastic about bringing a fresh and outward-facing approach to the role.

“I want to be proactive, especially when it comes to visibility and brand presence. Social media, customer engagement, storytelling—these things matter. My aim is to help the business shine even more, and support the growth that’s already underway.”

Managing Director Alec Grice, who recently led the company’s move into its modern manufacturing hub, welcomed Steve’s appointment.

“Steve brings a brilliant mix of experience, enthusiasm and industry insight,” Alec said. “He’s someone who fits straight in with our values and our vision—he understands the market, but also the importance of people. That makes him the right person to help lead our next chapter.”

Reflecting on his ambitions for the role, Steve remains grounded but focused.

“I’m not here to shake things up for the sake of it,” he said with a smile. “I just want to contribute and make a difference. That’s what it’s about—helping this already great business reach even greater heights.”

Lichtgitter UK Upscales with £6M Move into Modern Manufacturing Hub

Lichtgitter — 21/05/2025

After 33 years in the same Bloxwich facility, Lichtgitter UK has stepped into a bold new chapter. Backed by a £6 million investment, the business has moved into a 40,000 sq ft fully refurbished headquarters in Norton Canes, Cannock, — designed not just for scale, but for long-term transformation.

“We’d outgrown the old site years ago,” says Managing Director Alec Grice. “I wasn’t going to move until it felt absolutely right. When we found this site, it just clicked—it had real potential to become what we needed.”

Lichtgitter UK is a leading manufacturer of industrial flooring and access solutions—specialising in forge-welded and pressed-in steel gratings, perforated metal planks, stair treads and bespoke designs in stainless steel, GRP and aluminium.

The move is more than operational. It’s symbolic of Lichtgitter UK’s growing independence, confidence, and ambition—still deeply rooted in its family heritage, and proudly supported by its global parent, Lichtgitter Germany.

A Heritage Built on Trust and Family

The Lichtgitter story spans decades and borders. Founded in Germany before the war, the company pioneered forged-welded steel grating and has since grown into a €700 million global group. Despite its size, Lichtgitter remains a family-owned business—committed to long-term partnerships and sustainable growth.

That spirit shaped the formation of its UK operation in 1990. Alec’s father, Trevor Grice, then a sales manager for a UK stockist, helped establish the British arm (Lichtgitter UK) in close partnership with Dr. Martin of Lichtgitter Germany. Their aim: to secure a reliable UK presence built on quality and trust.

Starting from just 3,500 sq ft in Walsall, the business grew rapidly and relocated to Fryers Road within two years. It remained there for over three decades—until now.

“It’s still a family business on both sides,” Alec explains. “That matters to us. It’s about trust, shared values, and continuity.”

Built to Lead, Not Just Keep Up

Lichtgitter UK’s move wasn’t rushed. Alec Grice had been searching for the right site for over 15 years—viewing buildings across the Midlands, but walking away from anything that didn’t meet the company’s high standards for growth. In late 2024, he found it.

“When we saw this place, we knew it was the one,” Alec said. “It wasn’t perfect—but we could see the potential straight away.”

Rather than lease, Lichtgitter UK made the bold decision to purchase the site outright—an ambitious £6 million investment that signals long-term commitment and confidence in the future of UK manufacturing. Renovation began in October 2024 and was nothing short of transformative. By April 2025, the team moved into a fully refurbished, high-spec 40,000 sq ft facility designed for modern manufacturing and professional client engagement.

Set on a 3.9-acre plot, the site also allows for a further 20,000 sq ft of future expansion.

The difference from their old premises is night and day.

“This isn’t just a factory—it’s a place we’re proud to bring people to,” Alec explains. “Now, we’ve got a boardroom, a breakout space, proper meeting rooms, dedicated canteens, and light-filled modern offices.”

The refurbishment also includes full-site compressed air lines, a new low-energy compressor system, piped gas for welders, and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout. Electric charging points for vehicles and a switch to electric forklifts reflect the company’s move toward more sustainable operations.

“It’s a cleaner, more professional environment for everyone—customers, suppliers, and staff,” Alec adds. “It reflects who we are now, and where we’re heading.”

Lichtgitter UK’s new 40,000 sq ft headquarters in Norton Canes, Cannock

Scaling Up with Purpose

Lichtgitter UK currently employs 36 people and generates around £12 million in annual turnover. With the move now complete and fresh investment in place, Alec is setting his sights higher.

“Our target is to reach £15–20 million over the next few years,” Alec says. “The limitation was always space—now that we’ve removed that, we’re ready to grow.”

Key to that growth is a strategy of deepening market share, not chasing new territories. Alec is clear that the opportunity lies in doing more with existing sectors—serving clients better, faster, and with greater complexity.

“We’ve had to say no to work in the past because we simply didn’t have the capacity,” he explains. “That’s no longer the case.”

The company has already started laying the groundwork for smarter, more connected operations. A new MRP system is in the pipeline—one that could eventually link directly with Lichtgitter Germany’s ERP infrastructure, creating a seamless digital bridge between the two countries.

There’s also scope for future collaboration with Lichtgitter’s think tank in Germany, where the group is exploring the next generation of manufacturing—from robotics to automation and digital production tools.

Growing into the Future

The new site not only enhances Lichtgitter UK’s image—it improves its capability, efficiency, and market appeal. But Alec Grice is focused on embedding the team, refining operations, and ensuring the investment delivers long-term value.

“We’ve built a strong foundation in the markets we know—and that’s exactly where we see the biggest opportunities to scale.”

With the support of a global family business, a high-spec facility redesigned for modern manufacturing, and a clear vision for growth, Lichtgitter UK is stepping into a new era—on its own terms, and ready for more.

“This isn’t just about a bigger building—it’s about building something that lasts,” Alec reflects. “We’ve laid the foundation for the next 30 years.”

Backing Britain’s Manufacturing Future

Ilona Pitt, Director at Made in Group, recently visited the new Lichtgitter UK site and commented:

“It’s hard not to be impressed by what Alec and the team have achieved here. This move represents everything we stand for at Made in Group—long-term investment, pride in British industry, and the kind of bold leadership that backs our sector to grow. Lichtgitter UK is a shining example of what’s possible when family values meet global ambition.”

Lichtgitter UK: Engineered for Growth and Flexibility

Lichtgitter — 05/01/2026

Lichtgitter UK, a key player in the UK market for steel and GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) flooring, is rapidly establishing its unique identity as a business defined by flexibility, adaptability, and ambitious growth. Following a significant move to a spacious new facility in Norton Canes, the company is embracing a future where the sky truly is the limit.

A New Era of Efficiency and Capacity

After 30 years in smaller premises in Bloxwich, Lichtgitter UK's Managing Director, Alec Grice, recognised the business needed room to grow. The transition to the new, purpose-built site has been transformative.

“We feel that any sort of barrier that there may have been, has now been lifted,” Steve Grainger explains.

The new facility offers vast space, allowing the business to operate with significantly higher efficiency. The old 'Tetris puzzle' of moving stock in a limited space is gone, replaced by an organised layout that streamlines the entire process, from material storage to fabrication, packing, and despatch.

Steve notes: “We’ve got much more room to store material... everything’s laid out. You can easily find the right product. Pick it as needed for an order (or fabrication) . Complete the order. Load the vehicle.”

This operational flexibility is the foundation for Lichtgitter UK’s offering: bespoke fabrication and specialised material solutions.

Bespoke Fabrication and Product Versatility

While Lichtgitter UK is part of a multinational German company, the UK team excels at providing highly customised solutions for a diverse range of applications.

“Everything we make is unique to an application,” Steve confirms.

Customers approach Lichtgitter UK with complex needs, such as a catwalk high in a warehouse roof, a fire escape staircase, or an access platform at an energy facility. The team's expertise involves sizing panels exactly to specification, precision fabrication (including cutting around pipework or building columns), and welding to ensure the final product is safe, compliant, and structurally sound. This positions the team as experts whose advice is frequently sought during the design process.

Lichtgitter UK’s strength lies in offering a dual-product philosophy: both traditional steel and the fast-growing GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). Steel flooring, known for its strength and durability, is fully recyclable, typically used in high-strength areas. GRP offers an alternative option. It’s inert nature makes it ideal for corrosive, non-conductive, and flame-risk areas, where it can potentially last 20-40 years.

“We always offer the right product for the application and environment,” Steve notes, “working closely with customers to find the right solution” He emphasises that the growing GRP sector offers great potential for the company, and often compliments traditional steel flooring.

Teamwork and Brand Awareness

Steve highlights that the success of Lichtgitter UK is rooted in the team environment. “Everybody’s pulling together as a team... we all have different strengths, skills and backgrounds and we compliment each other. And that’s what makes a great team.”

The company's focus is on raising brand awareness, particularly ensuring customers associate Lichtgitter UK with GRP as well as their traditional steel offering. The dynamic combination of local fabrication expertise, international support, and a dual-product philosophy is set to significantly boost Lichtgitter UK’s profile.

“The sky’s the limit really...” concludes Steve, encapsulating the enthusiasm for the journey ahead.