Bridgnorth Aluminium operates the only fully integrated aluminium coil rolling plant in the UK and employs 330 people in Shropshire.
The company sells 20% of its volumes into the US and the introduction of aluminium and steel tariffs will create uncertainty and, potentially, makes the business less competitive than the current system of quota and exemptions.
Adrian Musgrave, Head of Sales at Bridgnorth Aluminium, commented: “These tariffs add another dimension to the global uncertainty we are all currently dealing with.
“If there is no movement on the 25% rate it will make trading with the US more difficult for us as a business, but it could also cause supply and cost issues for firms in America too.
“For example, for a significant portion of our US sales, there is currently no US producer. This means there is no threat to domestic aluminium production, yet companies using our aluminium may soon be hit by rising costs.
“What would we like to see? A deal between the UK and the US that removes tariffs all together or significantly reduces it from the 25% rate. This is something we are championing with the Department for Business and Trade and key manufacturing bodies, such as the Aluminium Federation (ALFED). Confederation of British Metalforming and Make UK.
“We are grateful for the engagement of the UK government and the manufacturing associations, who are all lobbying hard on our behalf.”
