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 overvie...

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 propose...

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 ar...

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 ind...

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 oper...

Episode Title: Digital Product Passports and their impact in the Steel Sector Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton Guest: Matthew Ekholm, Strategic Engagements Manager, Provenant (Part of Protokol ) Release Date: 17th February 2026 Episode Summary: In this forward-looking episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Peter and Michael are joined by Matthew Ekholm from Provenant (Part of Protokol)...

Episode Summary: In Episode 5 of Season 4, we sit down with Richard Patch , founder of the Manufacturers Hub , to explore how a side project to help his employer find new leads has grown into one of the most talked-about platforms in UK manufacturing. What began as a simple database of suppliers and customers has quickly developed into a fast-growing online hub with thousands of followers, hundred...

Episode Summary: In Episode 4 of Season 4, we sit down with Paul Whitehouse , Managing Director at Steel & Alloy , part of Gonvarri Industries, to unpack the biggest trade and supply chain pressures currently facing the UK steel sector. Steel & Alloy is one of the UK’s leading steel service centres supplying the automotive industry, and Paul brings a sharp, honest view of how businesses ar...

Episode Summary: In Episode 3 of Season 4, we speak with Rowan Crozier , CEO of Brandauer , one of the UK’s leading precision stamping specialists, about what it really takes to scale a British manufacturing business in a global market. Rowan leads a business that exports 85% of its products worldwide, supplying into aerospace, automotive, medical, and emerging sectors like green energy. He also p...

Episode Summary: In Episode 2 of Season 4, we sit down with Stephen Morley , President of the Confederation of British Metalforming , to get his unfiltered take on the current state of UK manufacturing. Stephen has spent decades on the inside of the industry, working directly with companies across the country and lobbying for change at the highest levels. He’s honest, experienced, and not afraid t...

Episode Summary: We’re kicking off Season 4 with a guest we've been wanting to get on the mic for a long time: Rodney Rice , Director at Langley Alloys . Rodney’s career started in a blast furnace at British Steel and took him through R&D, marketing, and operations before he landed at Langley Alloys, a business focused on niche metals for some of the toughest environments in the world. In this...

Podcast Show Notes: The Metal Guys Talk Business - Special Episode Hosts: Peter Comerford, Michael Bolton, and special feature host Nadine Bloxsome (CEO, ALFED) Episode Title: Addressing the Skills Gap in the Metal Industry Release Date: 1st October 2024 Episode Summary: In this special episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business , hosts Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton are joined by Nadine Bloxsome...

The Metal Guys Talk Business - Bonus Episode Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Episode Title: Active vs. Passive Candidates in Recruitment Release Date: 3rd September 2024 In this bonus episode, Pete and Mike dive into the nuances of recruitment, specifically focusing on the differences between active and passive candidates. They discuss the challenges and strategies of recruiting top talent,...

The Sertec story with Grant Adams Host : Pete Comerford and Michael Bolton Guest : Grant Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Sertec Episode Title : Metal Bashing to Multi-Million Success Release Date : 27th August 2024 Episode Summary : In this episode, Pete and Mike sit down with Grant Adams, the Chief Executive Officer of Sertec, to delve into the fascinating journey of transforming a modest metal...

Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guest: Liam Conway Episode Title: The 2024 Energy Market with Liam Conway Release Date: August 20th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, Pete and Mike sit down with Liam Conway from Greenfields Energy Group to discuss the state of the energy market as of 2024. Liam shares his expert perspective on how the market has evolved since the chaotic period of 2022,...

Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guests: Dan Fedyszyn and Joe Johnson Episode Title: Sharpening your business development with Joe and Dan of KR Saws Release Date: August 13th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, hosts Pete and Mike are joined by Dan and Joe from KR Saws to discuss the cutting-edge innovations in automated saws and the strategic marketing decisions that have propelled KR S...

Host: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guest: Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Managing Director at Professional Polishing Episode Title: Women with Metal the Kirsty Davies-Chinnock Story Release Date: August 6th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Managing Director at Professional Polishing, joins Pete and Mike to delve into her career in the metal industry. Kirsty shares her jou...

Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guest: Liz Burley Episode Title: Discrimination in the workplace with Liz Burley Release Date: July 30th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, we delve into the complexities of post-furlough work environments, exploring the challenges employees face when returning to work and the importance of flexibility. We also discuss effective recruitment strategies and...

Host: Pete Comerford Guest: Kyle Greenwood, CEO of BM Steel Episode Title: The Marubeni-Itochu takeover of BM Steel Release Date: July 23rd, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, Kyle Greenwood, CEO of BM Steels, joins Pete (One-half of The Metal Guys) to discuss various topics crucial for modern businesses. From the integration of acquisitions and the benefits of centralised systems to the impor...

Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guest: Tom Mallens Episode Title: Sales Techniques for Industrial Sales Professionals Part 2 Release Date: July 16th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, we are rejoined by Tom Mallens for part 2 of his Sales Training Podcast  As a seasoned expert in sales strategy, Tom joins us to discuss how businesses can shift their mindset towards proactive selling, de...

Hosts: Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton Guest: Tom Mallens Episode Title: Sales Techniques for Industrial Sales Professionals Part 1 Release Date: July 9th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive deep into Tom Mallens' career journey, exploring how he transitioned from journalism to becoming a sought-after sales trainer. Tom shares his insights on the challenges faced by salespeople, the imp...

Episode Summary: In this episode, we’re joined by Mark McGregor and Nick Robbins , the team behind Matsource , to talk about the journey from start-up idea to becoming a multi-million-pound player in the UK metals market. Founded with a clear vision and an eye for opportunity, Matsource has carved out a niche in supplying specialist steel products with speed, service, and an old-school focus on re...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Mike and Pete are joined by Joe Stallion for a deep dive into the intricacies of marketing and sales within the industrial sector. The discussion highlights the unique challenges faced by businesses in this sector, strategies for managing customer expectations, and the importance of building a strong online presence. Key Topics Covered: Introduction : The show ope...

Host: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton Guest: Gail Thomas, VP & Managing Director at TW Metals Episode Title: Navigating Aerospace Supply Chain Challenges Release Date: June 18th, 2024 Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, we delve into the intricate world of aerospace supply chain management with Gail Thomas, a seasoned expert with over 46 years of experience in the industry. We expl...

Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton Episode Title: The Metal Guys are Back! Release Date: June 11th, 2024 Welcome back to "The Metal Guys Talk Business" for the much-anticipated Season 3!  In this episode, hosts Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton kick off the new season with exciting updates, reflections on the past year, and plans for the upcoming episodes. After almost a year-long hiatus, the...