There are 1,490 active companies in the wholesale of metals and metal ores sector in the UK (SIC code 46720). This sector falls under Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 7.2% dissolution rate — 1,490 of 1,849 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 182.6% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 83% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company in this sector is 15.6 years old, suggesting established and stable operators. 122 large companies, 23 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. London leads with 21% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 20 government contracts valued at £11.3M. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1898.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026
A rapidly growing sector with 182.6% of active companies formed since 2020.
The wholesale of metals and metal ores sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">7.2% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 15.6 years old. Geographic concentration: 21% in LONDON.
Companies in the wholesale of metals and metal ores sector have been awarded 20 government contracts worth £11.3M in total.
There are 1,490 active companies classified under SIC code 46720 (Wholesale of metals and metal ores) in the UK, out of 1,849 total registered.
SIC code 46720 stands for "Wholesale of metals and metal ores". It belongs to Section G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.
The largest concentrations are in LONDON (309), SHEFFIELD (46), BIRMINGHAM (44).
The average active wholesale of metals and metal ores company in the UK is 15.6 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1898.
Our database contains 13,980 data signals across 11 categories for active wholesale of metals and metal ores companies. The largest category is Governance with 4,834 signals from 6 government sources.
5.9M companies, 50M+ signals from 53 government sources. Risk scores, director networks, entity analysis.