The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has reported record attendance at its 2026 Business Briefing & Annual Dinner, bringing together manufacturers, industry leaders and supply-chain specialists to discuss the future of the UK aluminium sector.
More than 150 delegates attended the daytime Business Briefing, while over 250 guests joined the Annual Dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon on 24 September. ALFED said the event was the largest gathering in the Federation’s history, with discussions centred on UK manufacturing resilience, competitiveness, sustainability, innovation, skills and future investment.
UK Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience
The programme brought together speakers from across manufacturing, materials, finance and international trade. John Pearce, Chief Executive of Made in Britain, addressed the role of British-made products and domestic industrial capability, while Tom Andrews of the National Composites Centre examined the growing importance of advanced materials to the UK’s industrial strategy.
Tony Graham, Chairman of OCEA UK Ltd, also highlighted the importance of maintaining domestic manufacturing capability to support national resilience, defence requirements and economic security. Glynn Jones from the Bank of England provided delegates with an economic update covering inflation, business confidence, investment trends and wider pressures affecting manufacturers and supply chains.
Trade, Carbon and Technology
A panel featuring representatives from CRU, BOAL Extrusion UK, the London Metal Exchange, the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade and CarbonChain examined the increasingly complex global environment facing aluminium businesses. Topics included geopolitical uncertainty, international trade, supply-chain resilience, carbon regulation and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Technology was another major theme. Presentations explored improvements in aluminium recycling, digital quality-management systems, greater supply-chain traceability and the potential for aluminium to support lighter and lower-carbon transport solutions.
Skills and Future Talent
The afternoon programme also focused on the workforce challenges facing UK manufacturing, including apprenticeships, mentoring, leadership development and attracting the next generation of skilled professionals. Representatives from industry, government and training organisations discussed how companies can strengthen skills pipelines while developing and retaining existing talent.
2026 ALFED Award Winners
The Business Briefing was followed by the Annual Dinner and the 2026 ALFED Awards, recognising organisations and individuals across the UK aluminium industry.
- Low-Carbon Innovation Award: Hydro Building Systems UK Ltd (TECHNAL by Hydro)
- Industry Champion Award: Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Professional Polishing Services
- Rising Star Apprentice Award: Amy Reynolds, BOAL Extrusion UK
The Industry Champion Award was introduced in honour of the late ALFED Past President Mark Allen, recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the aluminium sector.
Industry Looks Ahead
ALFED CEO Nadine Bloxsome said the record attendance demonstrated the “strength, resilience and ambition” of the UK aluminium sector, adding that expertise, innovation and collaboration would continue to position aluminium as a critical material within the UK’s manufacturing future.
For the construction and building-products supply chain, the discussions around low-carbon manufacturing, material traceability, domestic capacity and supply-chain resilience reflect issues increasingly shaping material specification and procurement across the wider built environment. Details of the 2027 ALFED Business Briefing & Annual Dinner are expected to be announced in due course.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
