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Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) has strengthened its range of services to its 200-strong membership base with a high-profile industrial appointment. Maurice Spooner, who has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing, has joined as the organisation’s sheet metal specialist and will help companies involved in pressings and roll-formed products to navigate an increasingly complex business landscape.
It is a vital role when factoring in the ongoing issues around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the possibility of rising energy prices again, with the former Sertec Group and Lear Corporation expert also keen to explore opportunities for diversification and new technology.
Mr Spooner said: “2025 promises to be a very interesting year for our members and the CBM will have an important role to make sure their voices are heard and the challenges they are facing are understood by the powers that be. Sheet metal is our biggest sector of membership, and it will be my role to support these firms by helping with issues they face and ensuring they are aware of the full range of services we offer.”
He continued: “I am keen to visit as many as I can and have already been to three companies in my first few weeks. It is great going inside factories, meeting the management teams and listening to what they need to be successful — both at home and abroad. There are plenty of challenges to navigate, but there are also significant opportunities for our members – we really do have some wonderful companies, innovating and producing components that help make the world go round.”
Self-taught throughoutMr Spooner started his career on the shopfloor in 1981 and has been self-taught throughout, progressing to new model introduction engineer, into project management and then commercial manager. This has predominantly been spent in the automotive sector working for Triplex Safety Glass, ITW Profit, Metal Pressings Group and QFS. Two of his biggest achievements have been supporting the relocation of Lear Corporation’s manufacturing facility to the Black Country with zero quality defects and overseeing the introduction of the new Discovery model at Sertec Group, involving 190-plus different part numbers.
“The CBM offers so many different services, from an active health and safety best practice forum to technical support from industry specialists and a wide range of energy services. One of my key roles will be making our sheet metal members fully aware of all the different things they can tap into and encouraging them to support our lobbying by adding their voice to the work we are doing in Whitehall and with influential local MPs like Sarah Coombs.”
Steve Morley, president of the CBM, added his support: “Maurice is a hugely experienced manufacturing specialist, who understands what it is like at the coalface. He will be a massive asset to our members and has the ability and contacts to bring more OEMs and Tier Ones into the conversation, so we can ensure that the downstream supply chain is better connected and represented.”
The CBM is the UK’s only specialist manufacturers’ organisation for experts involved in metalforming. Operating from the National Manufacturing Centre in West Bromwich, it represents over 200 manufacturing companies across the UK, covering sheet metal, fasteners, forging, cold head forging and cold rolled sections. Together, they employ 70,000 people and boast a combined turnover of £26 billion.