Bridgnorth Aluminium kickstarted a £2m investment in new technology at its 66-acre Midlands site in the U.K. as part of a long-term growth plan targeting new markets. Among these new markets, the company plans to provide high-quality aluminum to electric vehicles (EVs).
“The leading-edge technology will give Bridgnorth Aluminium cleaner metal in the casting process,” said Adam Hunter, deputy general manager, Bridgnorth. “This is really important for the battery foil market as well as high-end packaging.”
Bridgnorth Aluminium primarily manufactures aluminum coils for use in lithographic printing plates, pharma and household foils for packaging, and battery foil stocks for electrification. The company’s core business remains in lithographic printing for companies across the globe, with 90% of its products exported outside of the U.K. It has a dedicated research and development department and production capabilities spanning casting, hot/cold rolling, heat treatment, slitting, levelling, and degreasing.
The company was negatively impacted in 2023 by rising U.K. energy prices, as well as a major customer making the choice to move production from Europe to China. However, directors say the decision to restructure and target new markets in EV technology and packaging is already proving successful.
The new investment will focus on the installation of molten metal filtration equipment, which will be deployed prior to the casting process. This equipment will support the company’s plans to increase its share of new and growing markets.
The company, which employs more than 330 people, has seen sales increase by 33% in 2024 and is currently recruiting for another 10 roles. “We expected our Bridgnorth workforce to total around 305 at this point in the year, but we’re already at 330 with more jobs being created now for additional production operatives plus support roles in engineering and other disciplines,” said Gerhard Trilling, General Manager of Bridgnorth Aluminium. “The investment in casthouse technology will support our growing order book in the EV and packaging markets and we are positioning ourselves to support the growing demand for aluminium products in battery technology and in electrification.”