Dexion

Dexion is a company name and brand particularly associated with the development of the "Dexion" slotted angle steel strip construction system, widely used since the 1950s for domestic and commercial shelving, storage racking, exhibition stands and accommodation purposes.

The original UK-based Dexion Ltd manufacturing company spawned several subsidiaries before eventually ceasing trading in 2003 (its bankruptcy also saw the start of a long-running pension dispute with former workers).

Manufacture of Dexion products was taken over by the Norway-based Constructor Group. Dexion (Australia) Pty Ltd, spun off as a separate company in 2003, continues to trade successfully in the Australasian and south-east Asia markets.

Dexion Ltd (from the Greek for 'right') was established in 1937 in London by Australia-born engineer and printer Demetrius Comino, originally to deliver printing-related products. In solving problems within his printing business, Comino patented several products to improve efficiency in the printing process. However, his dissatisfaction with the poor versatility of traditional wooden shelving used to store paper and other materials led him to experiment with steel strips to devise a reusable shelving system. In 1939 he commissioned Birmingham-based Accles & Pollock to manufacture an initial batch of angled sections made of steel with slots cut down one side and a long groove cut down the other. The Second World War delayed further development of the product until 1947 when Comino was finally able to finance and open a small factory in Chingford, north-east London.

After initially disappointing sales, production increased to 50,000 feet per week in 1949, generating a business turnover of £500,000 that year. In 1950, production of Dexion strip reached 125,000 ft/week, and a new Dexion factory was opened in Enfield.

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