Metals companies are a vital part of the UK economy. They perform crucial enabling roles for all other industrial sectors. They are for example essential for manufacturing, construction and power generation. As well as making metals such as aluminium and steel, companies also:
The UK Metals Industry comprises 11,100 companies, employs around 230,000 people, and directly contributes £10.7bn to UK GDP. Indirectly it also supports a further 750,000 employees and underpins some £200bn of the UK’s GDP. Many companies now operate and compete globally and are themselves part of multinational, foreign-owned enterprises.
Decades of technological developments mean metals production is less labour-intensive and more efficient than ever. It is also cleaner and more environmentally friendly.
The UK has ambitious plans to develop new generations of world-leading cars, aircraft and other products, and for a major upgrade of its energy and transport infrastructure, creating extra demand for metals.
The move towards a more circular economy also represents an important opportunity for the industry.
Metals are endlessly reusable and recyclable, and become increasingly attractive from a lifecycle perspective the more times they are reused or recycled.
The UK Metals Council comprises leading ferrous and non-ferrous Trade Associations. They represent industries which, when combined, employ more than 350,000 people in 25,000 businesses spread across the country with a presence in virtually every town and city.
These companies produce goods worth £50 billion, supplying core metals and fabricated products into engineering, construction, automotive, aerospace and other manufacturing sectors.
In 2015 the UKMC published - Vision 2030 The UK Metals Industry's New Strategic Approach - a ground breaking document designed to support the development of the UK Metals Strategy.
This work is continuing with the support of the UK Metals Council Trade Associations and their member companies.
Involvement in the UK Metals Council is available to any UK Trade Association with an interest in the UK Metals Sector.
For individual companies of any size, involvement in UKMC is through one of the Member Trade Associations.
07/09/23 - Metals sector optimistic despite international trade, energy and labour challenges warns new report
Rising energy prices, the impact of life after the EU and labour shortages continue to be the main challenges facing the UK metals sector according to a new report due to be launched next week.
18/07/23 - UK Metals Expo Showcases Innovation and Growth in Metal Manufacturing
BIRMINGHAM, England, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UK Metals Expo (www.ukmetalsexpo.com), the premier event for the metal manufacturing and engineering sectors, will take place on 13th and 14th September at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.
28/06/23 - Metals chief warns that a faltering Apprenticeship Levy is hampering industrial growth.
Manufacturings growth is being hamstrung by an out-of-date Apprenticeship Levy scheme that is failing to address key labour shortages in the workforce says Rachel Eade MBE.
