A Visionary Leader: Colin Longworth of DKL Metals
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Colin Longworth, DKL Metals co-founder, on 17th December 2025 at the age of 68. Colin was a titan of the metals industry who shaped the foundation of DKL Metals Ltd; he will be missed by all who knew him.
The Legacy of Colin Longworth and DKL Metals
Colin’s journey in the metals sector began in telephone sales, where his natural talent for communication quickly led him into raw material acquisition and recycling. Recognising a gap in the marketplace, Colin partnered with Bob Kelly to incorporate DKL Metals Ltd in October 1986. His central role in the business was cemented in the very name of the firm; Colin was the ‘L’ in DKL Metals, a lasting mark of his foundational contribution to our history.
By early 1987, the company began trading in earnest, quickly becoming a significant force in the solder and non-ferrous metal sector. As the “commercial face” of DKL, Colin was instrumental in our international expansion. He established enduring global partnerships with industry leaders such as Balver Zinn in Germany and Nihon Superior in Japan.
Legacy and Transition
After three decades of leadership, Colin and Bob retired from the business, leading to the acquisition of DKL Metals by Fenix Metals in 2014. Although Colin stepped away from daily operations ten years ago, his influence remains; many of the clients and partners he nurtured continue to work with us today. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of DKL Metals.
Honouring His Final Wish
In his final years, Colin and his family became passionate advocates for the movement to legalise assisted dying, believing firmly in the right to die with dignity and without pain. Colin’s own battle with a terminal illness was marked by suffering, and in his honour, his family invites you to support the Dignity in Dying campaign.
By supporting this cause, you help ensure that future patients can pass peacefully and with the dignity they deserve.