Bridgnorth firm's major strategic investment set to pave way for 2025 growth
A manufacturer is targeting emerging markets this year as it brings a £2m technology investment online.
Bridgnorth Aluminium, which operates from a 66-acre site, is the only fully integrated aluminium rolling plant in the UK and employs 330 people in the county.
Deputy general manager Adam Hunter said aluminium was essential for the UK's clean energy transition, especially in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and defence systems.
He said: “We are a key link in the supply chain for battery foil for the EV market, more of which will be required by the new gigafactories, established or being built in Britain and Europe.
"Bridgnorth Aluminium is a major exporter of aluminium rolled products and we invest in green initiatives including reducing our carbon footprint, through recycling and re-using waste heat.
"Our new £2m investment in leading-edge technology will give us cleaner metal in the casting process. This is really important for the battery foil market as well as high-end packaging.”
The investment marks a significant milestone in the company's evolution from its traditional business in lithographic printing to also becoming a key player in the UK's clean energy transition and electrification ambitions.
"Our core business remains in material for printing for companies across the globe, with 90 per cent of our products exported outside of the UK," Adam added.
"We have a dedicated research and development department and our production capabilities span casting, hot/cold rolling, heat treatment, slitting, levelling and degreasing.
“We’ve already demonstrated our resilience and adaptability, having successfully restructured and diversified our markets in response to challenges faced in 2023, including rising UK energy prices. This strategy has paid dividends, with the company reporting a 33 per cent increase in sales during 2024 and we are ahead of our recovery plan and creating new jobs.”
The manufacturer's role in supporting regional economic growth continues to strengthen. It provides vital employment opportunities across Shropshire and the West Midlands and is committed to developing local talent through educational partnerships and apprenticeships.
Adam said: “Engagement with key research institutions including the Warwick Manufacturing Group, the Advanced Propulsion Centre, and the universities of Birmingham and Brunel keeps us at the cutting edge of materials science and low-carbon manufacturing technologies – this is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in global markets.”
Part of the global Viohalco Group, operating across eight countries and serving 95 nations worldwide, Adam said that Bridgnorth Aluminium's continued investment in Shropshire represents a significant commitment to both regional manufacturing excellence and the UK's broader industrial strategy.
“There are headwinds from external economic factors such as uncertainty over tariffs in the US market under a new administration and new legislation around carbon reporting and taxation. We’re talking to the Department of Business and Trade about these challenges and have responded to the consultation on the new industrial strategy due to be published this year.”
