One of Shropshire’s largest employers is heading to the
UK Metals Expo in September with the launch of its next recruitment drive and with an important message for the Government.
Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd (BAL), which is Britain’s only fully integrated producer of flat-rolled aluminium coils, is looking to fill 10 positions at its facility and believes the largest event for the UK metals industry is the perfect place to raise awareness of a career in this sector.
The company, which will take its largest-ever stand (L55) at the exhibition, taking place at the NEC on 10-11 September, will be looking to champion the role of aluminium as a critical material that is used across aerospace, automotive, defence and energy generation. Bridgnorth Aluminium want it to have the same standing and political attention as steel, especially considering that it is an infinitely recyclable metal and one that is suited to achieving a true circular economy.
Adrian Musgrave, Bridgnorth Aluminium’s commercial director, said: “
UK Metals Expo is the perfect place for us to beat the drum for aluminium. We are a profitable industry doing some amazing things yet always seem to fall behind other metals when it comes to attention and backing. Working with other companies in our sector, we want to change that.
External challenges“We are investing heavily in making our manufacturing operations ‘greener’ and diversifying into new markets, where aluminium offers a new lightweight option. There is an appetite to create new jobs and expand, but there are a lot of external challenges facing us - including the EU and UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) and scrap leakage.”
He continued: “The Government needs to put together a joined-up sector-specific strategy by consulting with us. We will be championing what we need at the exhibition and during our panel appearance at the ‘Aluminium Alliance’ session on 10 September.”
Bridgnorth Aluminium provides aluminium flat-rolled products to clients in the construction, lithographic, packaging and, increasingly, the electrification sector. From its 66-acre site, the company has access to two cast houses, two rolling mills, two cold rolling mills, a multi-slitting line and multiple finishing lines, not to mention well-equipped R&D facilities and metallurgy laboratories.
Up to 10 BAL experts, including the head of sustainability and head of technical, will be present at
UK Metals Expo, while a new recruitment video will be aired for the first time — highlighting the wide variety of careers available at the business. They will also be joined by representatives from sister business Metal Agencies, a leading supplier of non-ferrous and ferrous semi-finished products and cables.
Raising the profile of aluminiumMr Musgrave concluded: “
UK Metals Expo is shaping up to be the biggest event yet and we are looking forward to meeting with existing and potential new customers, as well as partners who will help us raise the profile of aluminium!”
Mr Musgrave will join the
UK Aluminium Alliance – Strengthening Strategic Industry Partnerships panel discussion on Wednesday, 10 September at 1.30 pm. Organised by ALFED, the session will explore how collaboration across the aluminium ecosystem can drive circularity, trade resilience, skills development and sustainable growth.
He will be joined on the speakers roster by Metal Agencies’ Dr Thomas Papageorgiou, who will take part in the ‘Sustainable Solutions in Action’ discussion (11.30am on 10 September). The sustainability senior manager will deliver an insight on practical sustainability wins in manufacturing, focusing on resource efficiency, process optimisation and circularity.