The Metal Guys Talk Business

Episode Title: Inside the UK Steel Quota Debate
Host: Peter Comerford
Guest: Carrie Bone
Organisation: Kallanish Commodities

Episode Summary
In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete is joined by Carrie Bone to continue the discussion around the proposed UK steel quotas and tariffs, and the wider implications for the steel, stainless and engineering sectors.

Carrie provides an overview of:
Why the UK steel market has reached this point
Global steel overcapacity
The difference between UK quotas and EU tariffs
Why UK mills have struggled to compete internationally
The risks facing downstream manufacturers
Concerns around supply chains, pricing and loopholes
The conversation also explores whether the UK is now at a tipping point where government intervention has become unavoidable.

“We’re at a Knife Edge”
One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is the concern that the UK steel industry may have reached a critical moment.
Pete openly questions whether the government now feels forced to act aggressively in order to prevent further decline in UK steelmaking capacity.

Carrie explains that:
UK steel production has been falling for years
Energy and operating costs remain extremely high
Global overcapacity continues to pressure prices
Imported material is often significantly cheaper
The discussion highlights the difficult balance between protecting domestic production and maintaining competitive manufacturing costs.

Quotas vs Tariffs – What’s Actually Happening?
A major part of the episode focuses on the difference between:
EU tariff systems
UK quota systems
Safeguard measures
Carrie explains how Europe has operated with various protection measures for years, while the UK is now attempting to introduce its own framework following Brexit.

The discussion also explores:
Why some businesses were caught off guard
How stainless and alloy markets became affected
Why many downstream manufacturers didn’t initially realise they could be impacted
The Speed of Change
Both Pete and Carrie repeatedly return to the issue of timing.
While many agree that UK steel requires support, there are concerns that:
The changes are happening too quickly
Domestic mills cannot ramp up production fast enough
Recruitment and restarting mothballed facilities takes time
Supply chains cannot adjust overnight
Pete compares the situation to replacing a supermarket with a corner shop:
There is simply less availability and less flexibility within the system.Finished Product “Loopholes”
A particularly important discussion centres around the concern that tariffs and quotas could unintentionally encourage more overseas fabrication.

The pair discuss how:
Raw steel imports may become prohibitively expensive
Fabricated products can still be imported more easily
Overseas manufacturers may gain an advantage
UK businesses could shift production abroad
Pete references concerns from industry contacts that some manufacturers may eventually relocate fabrication operations overseas if UK production costs rise too sharply.

The Pressure on UK Manufacturing
The episode explores the knock-on impact for:
Engineering companies
Fabricators
Stockholders
Processors
OEM manufacturers
Carrie explains that many businesses are now struggling with:
Unclear pricing
Uncertain future costs
Long-term contract exposure
Changing import terms and delivery responsibilities
The discussion also touches on DDP and DAP Incoterms and how some suppliers may now be forced to renegotiate pricing agreements due to the scale of the proposed changes.

Can UK Production Be Rebuilt Quickly Enough?
A recurring theme throughout the conversation is realism around UK production capability.
Pete questions whether:
Mothballed facilities can realistically restart quickly
Skilled labour is available
Mills can secure raw materials fast enough
Capacity can return within weeks rather than years
Both acknowledge that while supporting UK steel is important, rebuilding lost industrial capability is not an overnight process.
Brexit, Strategy & Long-Term Thinking

The discussion also moves into the wider strategic picture following Brexit.
Topics include:
Global steel overcapacity
The cost of maintaining domestic virgin steel production
Government subsidies and intervention
Long-term industrial strategy
Pete argues that while the government clearly wants to protect UK steelmaking, the implementation may have benefited from a more gradual roadmap over several years rather than a rapid adjustment within weeks.

The Bigger Concern: Market Uncertainty
Toward the end of the episode, Pete summarises the core concern:
Businesses can adapt to higher prices, but uncertainty is far harder to manage.
The speed of implementation has left many companies:
Rushing orders
Stockpiling material
Delaying decisions
Struggling to quote accurately
The conversation reinforces how quickly uncertainty alone can destabilise manufacturing supply chains.

Key Takeaway
This episode explores a difficult reality:
The UK may need to protect domestic steel production, but if the transition happens too aggressively, there is a risk of damaging the wider manufacturing and engineering sectors that rely on stable, competitive supply chains.

The question throughout the discussion is not necessarily whether change is needed…
…but whether the current pace and structure of that change is sustainable.

Learn More
Kallanish Commodities
UK Steel
Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM)
SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:
SteelBuy, a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.
NERO Pipeline Connections, a trusted UK stockholder of stainless steel valves, fittings, and pipeline products, supporting industries from process to precision.
Comton Group, Recruitment Engineered for Metal and Manufacturing.
The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.
Contact us via our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.
Social Media Accounts
LinkedIn:
Michael Bolton - Mike
Peter Comerford - Pete
Comton Group - Comton Group
TikTok: 
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete
Instagram:
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete

Episode Title: Steel Quotas, Tariffs & The Future of UK Manufacturing
Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton
Guest: Nick Whitehouse
Organisation: Swiss Steel Group UK
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike sit down with Nick Whitehouse to discuss one of the biggest threats currently facing the UK steel, stainless and nickel alloy markets: the proposed UK steel quotas and tariff changes.
The discussion explores:
The proposed quota reductions
Why many businesses believe the timeline is dangerously rushed
How the changes could impact UK manufacturing supply chains
The risk of artificial demand and overstocking
Why specialist steel products cannot simply be “bought elsewhere”
The wider implications for aerospace, defence, nuclear and engineering sectors
The episode also tackles the difficult balancing act between protecting domestic steel production and maintaining a competitive manufacturing sector in the UK.
The Core Concern: “This Feels Too Quick”
One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion is the speed at which the proposed changes are being introduced.

Nick explains that while the quotas are technically still “provisional”, businesses are already having to make commercial decisions immediately because of the uncertainty surrounding what happens from July onwards.

Pete highlights the wider concern:
“There could be significant harm done rapidly… decisions could be made that could be damaging for the UK for decades.”The conversation explores how many companies are now scrambling to bring material into the UK before the changes potentially come into effect.

Fake Demand & The Risk of Market Distortion
A major issue discussed is the creation of what Pete describes as “fake demand”.
Because businesses fear future quota restrictions, many are placing orders earlier than they normally would simply to secure stock before July.
The concern is that:
Companies could become massively overstocked
Demand could collapse later in the year
Businesses may tie up millions in inventory
Market pricing could become distorted
The episode explores how quickly uncertainty alone can destabilise supply chains, even before legislation officially changes.
Why Specialist Steel Supply Chains Are Different

Nick explains that businesses like Swiss Steel Group UK operate in specialist markets where supply chains cannot simply be shifted overnight.
The discussion covers:
Long production lead times
Customer-specific material requirements
Accreditation and testing standards
Reliance on multiple specialist mills across Europe
Unlike commodity steel products, many of these materials are engineered for highly specific applications in sectors such as:
Aerospace
Defence
Nuclear
Energy
High-performance engineering
The group discuss how changing approved suppliers in these industries is often a lengthy and heavily regulated process.
34,000 Tonnes to 11,500 Tonnes

One of the biggest talking points in the episode is the scale of the proposed quota reduction for certain product groups.
Nick discusses how imports in his sector previously totalled around:
34,000 tonnes annually
…with proposed quotas potentially reducing this to:
11,500 tonnes annually
The concern is not just the reduction itself, but how businesses are expected to compete for increasingly limited allocation windows.

The Bigger Question: How Do We Protect UK Steel Properly?
The discussion becomes particularly balanced when Pete challenges the situation from the opposite side.
The episode openly acknowledges:
UK steel production has fallen dramatically
Domestic producers face huge energy and operating costs
Global competition is fierce
Some imported steel can arrive at prices UK mills simply cannot compete with
The conversation references:
The closure pressures around British Steel
The mothballing of UK production assets
Government intervention and renationalisation discussions
Rather than simply criticising quotas, the episode explores a deeper question:
How do we create a fair and sustainable long-term strategy for UK steel production without crippling downstream manufacturing businesses?Aerospace, Defence & Nuclear: Why This Matters
The episode also explores why specialist alloy markets behave differently to more commodity-driven sectors.
Pete highlights that sectors such as:
Aerospace
Defence
Nuclear
…operate under extremely strict quality and certification standards.
In many of these industries:
Material approvals can take years
Product traceability is critical
Switching suppliers is highly complex
Material cost is often a relatively small percentage of the overall project cost
The discussion suggests these industries may be less price-sensitive than general engineering markets — but also more vulnerable to supply disruption.
A Call for a Strategic Pause

Toward the end of the episode, the discussion moves toward solutions.
Nick argues that businesses are not necessarily opposing reform itself, but rather the speed and structure of implementation.
The group discuss:
Pausing implementation timelines
Gathering wider industry consultation
Creating sector-specific quota strategies
Better alignment between UK steel strategy and manufacturing realities
The overall message is that policy decisions need to consider the entire industrial supply chain — not just steel production alone.
Industry Collaboration & Lobbying
The episode finishes by discussing how businesses are trying to get their voices heard.
Nick explains the importance of:
Industry associations
Collaboration between manufacturers and distributors
Trade bodies such as the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM)
Media engagement and public discussion
The conversation reinforces that many businesses feel these decisions could have long-term consequences for UK manufacturing competitiveness.

Key Takeaway
This episode isn’t simply about “protecting steel”.
It’s about the unintended consequences that can occur when industrial policy moves faster than the supply chains that rely on it.
The central question raised throughout the discussion is:
Can the UK protect domestic steel production without severely damaging the wider manufacturing and engineering sectors that depend on global specialist supply chains?Learn More
Swiss Steel Group UK
UK Steel
Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM)

SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is s...

Episode Title: AI, Business & The Next Industrial Revolution
Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton
Guest: Alan King
Organisation: ITAA – AI Your Org Community

Episode Summary
In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike are joined by AI strategist, author and community founder Alan King to discuss one of the biggest technological shifts businesses have faced since the arrival of the internet.

Alan shares his thoughts on:
What AI actually is
Why ChatGPT changed everything
How businesses should be preparing for the future
Why “doing nothing” could be the biggest risk of all
The dangers of poor AI governance
How organisational structures may fundamentally change over the next decade
The conversation explores AI through the lens of the metal, manufacturing and engineering sectors, looking at everything from sales and recruitment to automation, supply chains and decision-making.

About Alan King
Alan King previously worked with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on global strategy initiatives before founding the AI-focused community “AI Your Org” in 2022.
He is also:
Host of the AI Evolution podcast
Author of Harnessing the Power of AI in Your Organization
Preparing to release his next book: Future State: Reimagining Organizational Logic Through the Lens of AI
Key Topics Covered
What Actually Is AI?
Alan breaks down the history of AI in simple terms, tracing the evolution from early neural networks through to modern large language models like ChatGPT.
The discussion covers:
AlexNet and the breakthrough in image recognition
Google’s “Attention Is All You Need” paper
The rise of transformer models
Why ChatGPT felt like a “10-year leap overnight”
Alan explains how modern AI differs from older systems like Siri and why today’s models can now reason, maintain context and hold meaningful conversations.
Why AI Changes Business Structures

A major part of the episode focuses on what Alan calls “organisational logic” — the idea that AI will fundamentally reshape how businesses operate.
The conversation compares AI to:
The Industrial Revolution
The arrival of the internet
The rise of mobile technology
Alan argues that many businesses are still trying to apply AI to old systems rather than redesigning how they operate from the ground up.
The “Blockbuster” Warning
Throughout the episode, Blockbuster is repeatedly used as an example of what happens when established businesses fail to adapt to technological change.
Key discussion points include:
Why legacy companies often struggle to change
The danger of protecting outdated structures
How AI-native businesses could outperform incumbents
Why some organisations may become the “Blockbusters of AI”
The discussion also references Nokia, Kodak and traditional banks versus fintech disruptors.
AI in Manufacturing & Engineering

Pete and Mike steer the discussion toward the metal and engineering industries, asking how AI could realistically impact manufacturing businesses.
Alan discusses:
Supply chain optimisation
Automated purchasing decisions
AI-driven ERP systems
Intelligent inventory management
Faster operational decision-making
The group also explore whether large steel and manufacturing businesses are protected from disruption due to the massive capital barriers involved in entering those markets.
Human + AI Collaboration

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is that AI should enhance humans rather than simply replace them.
Alan introduces the concept of:
Humans
AI systems
Data
…working together as a connected triangle.
The discussion covers:
AI governance
Staff training
Responsible implementation
The importance of clean data
Where humans still outperform AI systems
AI Agents, Bots & The Future of Sales
The conversation becomes particularly interesting when discussing AI-powered sales and communication tools.
Pete discusses:
AI sales bots
Automated cold calling
Real-time call coaching
AI analysing buying signals during conversations
Alan explains that while the technology is not fully mature yet, businesses should already be preparing for a future where AI agents become integrated into customer communication and sales workflows.
Why Businesses Need AI Policies

A major warning from Alan centres around businesses banning AI tools entirely.
The discussion explores:
Employees secretly using AI tools
GDPR and data security risks
Intellectual property concerns
Why banning AI could actually increase business risk
Alan argues that companies should instead create controlled environments and governance frameworks for staff to safely use AI tools.
Jobs, Careers & Reskilling

The episode also addresses one of the biggest concerns around AI: jobs.
Topics include:
Which roles may be most vulnerable
Why junior administrative roles could be impacted first
The rise of AI-assisted working
Why people should begin learning AI tools now
Alan’s view is that AI will change jobs rather than simply eliminate them — but people who learn to work alongside AI will have a significant advantage.
The Most Exciting AI Tools Right Now

To finish the episode, Alan shares some of the AI tools and developments he finds most exciting.
The discussion includes:
ChatGPT voice mode
Grok
Sora
Ideogram
AI-generated music tools like Suno
AI agents and browser automation
The future of AI-powered operating systems
The group also discuss how future AI systems may remove friction entirely from tasks like ordering products, booking services or managing workflows.

Key Takeaway
This episode is less about “AI tools” and more about business transformation.
Alan’s core message is clear:
Businesses that ignore AI completely may face the same fate as companies that ignored the internet.

Learn More
ITAA – AI Your Org Community
OpenAI
Google DeepMind
SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:
SteelBuy, a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.
NERO Pipeline Connections, a trusted UK stockholder of stainless steel valves, fittings, and pipeline products, supporting industries from process to precision.
Comton Group, Recruitment Engineered for Metal and Manufacturing.
The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.
Contact us via our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.
Social Media Accounts
LinkedIn:
Michael Bolton -

Episode Title: Lessons from the Old School of Stainless Steel
Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton
Guests: Graham Comerford and Chris Price
Release Date: 20th May 2026

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike are joined by two long-standing figures from the stainless steel industry, Graham Comerford and Chris Price.

The conversation explores how the industry used to operate, from commercial apprenticeships and learning the fundamentals of stainless steel, through to the rise of specialist distribution, manufacturing, international sourcing and major mergers within the sector.

Chris and Graham share stories from RGB Stainless, Avesta, Valen Fittings and Stock Services, discussing everything from relationship-driven selling and technical product knowledge to redundancies, importing material from China and the changing nature of the UK metals industry.

A nostalgic but honest conversation about how the trade has evolved over the last 40 years.

Key Topics Covered
Starting Out in the Stainless Steel Industry
Chris explains how failing his 11-plus ultimately led him into a commercial apprenticeship within the steel industry before progressing into stainless steel distribution.
Graham shares his own route into the sector after leaving the army and joining RG Brand Stainless Steel with no prior knowledge of the industry.
The discussion highlights how apprenticeships and hands-on learning created strong technical grounding for many people entering the trade during that era.
RGB Stainless & Industry Training
A major part of the episode centres around RGB Stainless and the level of technical product knowledge expected within the business.
The group discuss:
Product training and technical specifications
Understanding grades and applications
Why specialists commanded higher margins
The importance of learning manufacturing processes
The conversation contrasts this with today’s market, where many salespeople operate transactionally without deep technical understanding, and Graham reflects on moving from stainless steel distribution into manufacturing with Valen and the operational lessons that came with it.

Topics include:
Quality systems and process control
The realities of factory operations
Learning from engineering-led businesses
Why manufacturing knowledge improved commercial understanding
The discussion reinforces how valuable operational exposure can be for commercial teams within metal businesses.

The episode also explores how recruitment within the industry historically relied heavily on reputation and networks rather than formal recruitment processes.
Chris discusses:
Being approached directly for senior roles
The dangers of hiring purely based on customer contacts
Why curiosity and technical understanding mattered more than a “black book”
The conversation naturally moves into how recruitment and retention have changed across the sector.

One of the more serious sections of the episode focuses on industry mergers and the difficult process of redundancies following consolidation within the stainless market.

Graham reflects candidly on:
Closing branches
Managing redundancies
The emotional impact on employees and families
Why many mergers failed to deliver expected results
The group discuss how customer loyalty often sat with individuals rather than large organisations.

The conversation also covers the shift from UK and European manufacturing dominance towards imported material from Asia.
Topics include:
Japanese imports entering the market
Technical prejudice around overseas products
Chinese pipe imports in the 2000s
Anti-dumping tariffs
Margin erosion within distribution
Pete also shares stories from Stock Services importing stainless pipe during the mid-2000s and the realities of quality control when sourcing internationally.

The episode finishes with reflections on how technology transformed the sector:
Reduced staffing requirements
Computerised stock systems
Faster pricing and quoting
Less technical interaction with customers
The group question whether modern distribution businesses still develop product specialists in the same way they once did.

This episode is a look back at:
Traditional apprenticeships
Technical selling
Relationship-driven business
The evolution of stainless steel distribution
How globalisation reshaped the sector
A fascinating conversation for anyone who has worked within the metals, manufacturing or engineering industries over the last few decades.

SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:
SteelBuy, a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.
NERO Pipeline Connections, a trusted UK stockholder of stainless steel valves, fittings, and pipeline products, supporting industries from process to precision.
Comton Group, Recruitment Engineered for Metal and Manufacturing.
The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.
Contact us via our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.
Social Media Accounts
LinkedIn:
Michael Bolton - Mike
Peter Comerford - Pete
Comton Group - Comton Group
TikTok: 
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete
Instagram:
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete

In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike sit down with Kieren Hall, CEO of Avocet Battery Materials, to explore the transition from traditional steel distribution into advanced battery component manufacturing.

Kieren shares how he joined his father’s steel trading business in 2012, the decision to move beyond distribution, and the realities of building a manufacturing operation from scratch. The conversation covers Innovate UK grants, raising private investment during COVID, technical challenges in battery production, and the importance of culture, agility and incremental improvement when scaling a business.

This episode provides a practical look at what it really takes to move from trading materials to manufacturing proprietary products in a globally competitive market.

Key Topics Covered

From Lifestyle Business to Manufacturing Ambition

Kieren joined the family steel trading business in 2012, stepping straight into sales. By 2018, despite a stable and comfortable operation, he wanted to build something more than a distribution model.

The ambition was clear: move from selling other people’s products to manufacturing something in-house.
Entering the Battery Industry

In 2020, Avocet secured a competitive Innovate UK grant to develop battery connector technology.
The opportunity created immediate pressure:
A £1.4m project with 50% co-funding requirements
The need to raise private investment
Building a credible business plan for a manufacturing startup
Kieren explains the realities of pitching to investors, structuring financial forecasts, and learning to sell not just a product, but a vision.

The Reality of Manufacturing, moving from distribution to manufacturing proved significantly more complex than expected.
Challenges included:
Specialist surface treatments not openly documented in the market
Equipment limitations when working with softer metals
The need to build in-house R&D capability
What began as unexpected technical obstacles ultimately became competitive advantages, including patented processes and differentiated products.

Navigating a Volatile Battery Market
The episode explores the wider battery industry landscape, including:
The collapse of high-profile Western startups
China’s dominance in battery supply chains
The difficulty of scaling production outside Asia
The importance of localisation and technical depth
Although originally focused on supporting European gigafactories, Avocet has pivoted and now exports to both China and the United States.

Building the Right Team
From just two people during COVID, the business has grown to over 30 employees.
Key hires included:
An experienced operations director
Dedicated R&D leadership
Commercial and production management
Kieren discusses the importance of bringing in expertise early and creating a collaborative leadership structure rather than a top-down model.
Culture, Agility and Incremental Gains
Avocet deliberately built its culture from the ground up, centred around:
Care
Quality
Agility
Continuous improvement
Inspired by sport and incremental gains, the company runs transparent monthly meetings, shares performance updates, and ensures teams understand both wins and setbacks.

Working with motorsport clients further accelerated their thinking around speed and operational agility.
Raising Investment and Lessons Learned
Kieren shares candid insights into raising private capital:
Hardware manufacturing requires patient investment
Legal structuring and shareholder alignment are critical
The wrong investor can create long-term conflict
Selling shares is effectively selling a product
The importance of alignment, trust and clean governance structures is emphasised throughout.
Distribution as a Gateway to Manufacturing
For businesses considering entering manufacturing, Kieren highlights a practical approach:
Start by distributing into the market
Understand customers, pricing and demand
Identify niche gaps
Manufacture once differentiation is clear
This staged approach reduces risk and builds commercial understanding before committing to capital-intensive operations.
The Bigger Picture
This episode explores more than batteries.
It’s about:
Scaling within manufacturing
Founder development
Managing investor pressure
Competing globally from the UK
Building resilience through operational challenges
A grounded and honest conversation for anyone considering expanding beyond distribution into manufacturing.

SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:
SteelBuy, a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.
NERO Pipeline Connections, a trusted UK stockholder of stainless steel valves, fittings, and pipeline products, supporting industries from process to precision.
Comton Group, Recruitment Engineered for Metal and Manufacturing.
The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.
Contact us via our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.
Social Media Accounts
LinkedIn:
Michael Bolton - Mike
Peter Comerford - Pete
Comton Group - Comton Group
TikTok: 
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete
Instagram:
Mike - @comtonmike
Pete - @comtonpete