Author
Peter Comerford
Women with Metal
It’s been 7 weeks since the first Women with Metal event and the 2nd edition of this sell out conference has already been booked top take place on 29 October 2024. Kirsty is increasing the size and scale of the event and has booked a hall at the ICC Birmingham for year 2 with the…
Van Leeuwen: The Energy Project
In December 2021 Jill Clements told me about the Energy Project that had been signed off by Van Leeuwen UK. Jill was animated when talking about the news, and excitedly explained the potential that this opened up to her and the team. “I am very excited about it. I am really happy that finally we…
Drywall Steel Sections Secures £9.5 Million WMCA Investment
£13 million was all it took for a family run manufacturing business to make a monumental transformation in the historic heart of the steel industry! Drywall Steel Sections Ltd are on the move after securing loan funding of £9.5 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Their Cradley Heath site was no longer fit…
The NASS Golf day & Summer Gathering 2023
On the 29th of June, Matt Tipper, Stewart Andrews and I had a swing of the clubs at Priory Breadsall in Derby. A week later, on the 6th of July, I attended the Summer Gathering in central Birmingham. Two entirely different events, seven days apart, both hosted by The National Association of Steel Service Centres…
The Stainless Steel Industry Meets at the BSSA Annual Conference & Dinner
The British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA) met at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham in May 2023 for their annual conference and dinner. Having attended the last four BSSA annual conferences and this year’s Food and Beverage Industry event (link to article), it was great to catch up with familiar faces from the industry and new…
How to use LinkedIn for YOUR Metal Business.
The below presentation was given at the National Association of Steel Service Centres (NASS) 2023 Summer Gathering. In 12 days I’ll have been using LinkedIn for 12 years! On the day I joined I thought: “Wow! This business Facebook thingy is incredible! Everyone I want to do business with is right here, this will be…
Hydroscand UK: A Certified Great Place to Work
Peter revisits Hydroscand UK, who now have the paperwork to back up what we already knew!
Lab-quality analysis in the palm of your hand
Peter visits ARUN Technology to check out the first and only handheld CMOS-based LIBS analyser in the market to measure carbon in ferrous.
EU steel mills’ price aspirations unsupported by the market
European steel mills push for further price increases despite uncertainty from buyers about the future market direction.
Expansion and then more expansion: A successful formula for Selmach Machinery
Machinery experts expand their premises and range to stay ahead of the competition.
EU mills aim for price rises despite slow start to 2023
Demand for stainless steel, in Europe, was slow to emerge in the first few weeks of the new year, but market activity has improved month-on-month.
Why are we still talking about e-commerce being the next big thing in the steel industry?
Peter Comerford wants to know why more businesses aren’t embracing the opportunities available to sell online.
Steel producers’ pricing policy squeezes distributors
By the middle of January, several major European steel producers had signalled significant price rises to the market, citing increased input costs.
Raising the standard: Hydroscand UK’s commitment to safety and the environment
Hydroscand UK demonstrate their commitment to environmental and health & safety management with new accreditations.
The £16 billion takeover
Marubeni-Itochu acquire BM Steel group of companies in landmark deal.
Global stainless output forecast to rise 1% this year
Substantial rises in energy costs are increasing manufacturing costs and deterring investment in steel-intensive infrastructure projects.
Thoughts and impressions from Farnborough International Airshow & Exhibition 2022
Peter Comerford tells us about the new aircraft, robotics, and logistics drones that he saw at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow.
Corrosion Resistant Materials awarded prestigious Queen’s Award
Adam Bradley explains the application process and tells us why he believes winning the award will be so beneficial for the business.
Big investments in stock are just the beginning of Van Leeuwen’s plans for the UK
Kris Bowling is enthusiastic about the expanded stock range and Van Leeuwen UK’s plans for the year ahead.
Twenty years and STILL dedicated to the flow
Hydroscand UK mark their 20th anniversary with a weekend of celebrations and a documentary video about the business.
Iracroft: Prize-winning tube specialists
Our competition winners invite us in for a look at their facility and tell us why video is at the top of their marketing agenda.
Is social media the answer to the ageing workforce crisis?
How do you encourage the next generation to consider working in the metal industry?
Van Leeuwen invite us in for a sneak peek at their new HQ
Van Leeuwen UK reflect on their achievements, and ensure they have the right elements in place to future-proof their business.
Inventory surge triggers rapid EU stainless price fall
Stainless steel buying activity, in Europe, has remained considerably weaker than anyone anticipated following the decline in April.
Why BM Steel invested in plasma
BM Steel explain why they’ve invested in plasma cutting machinery, and why processing services are so important.
Precisely engineering their own future at Helmrick Engineers
With a change of ownership and a new General Manager in Mark Webster, Helmrick Engineers have made a bold claim to grow considerably over the next 5 years.
Expansion, pipes and service: A big year ahead for Anglo Stainless
New ranges of pipes in stock, same quality service and expertise. The service offering at Anglo Stainless has never been larger.
Thoughts and impressions from wire&Tube 2022
Peter Comerford shares his thoughts after attending the 2022 wire&Tube fair in Düsseldorf.
European steel prices slide to pre-war levels
European steel coil prices continued their downward slide, in May and early June.
2022 BSSA event at new £50million venue
This year the BSSA will host their annual Conference and Dinner at the beautiful Grand Hotel in Birmingham City Centre on Thursday 16th June 2022.
Van Leeuwen invest heavily in pipes, fittings and flanges
Van Leeuwen significantly increase their UK stocks of carbon steel pipes, fittings and flanges to expand their market share in the UK.
Hydroscand: Expansion during a pandemic
The Nottingham team explain to Peter Comerford why clever investments have, despite the pandemic, resulted in business booming at Hydroscand UK.
The rise and rise of Flocon
How three men are building on the legacy of their fathers to continue expanding their business in the post-CoVID era.
