On Thursday 25th June 2026, the Aluminium Federation (ALFED) team were thrilled to attend Smiths Metal Centres’ highly engaging Innovation Day, taking place across their HQ in Biggleswade and the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, where innovation, collaboration and industry expertise were showcased at every stage.
The day began with a unique and interactive experience, as attendees put their driving skills to the test on Silverstone Formula 1 simulators. The session sparked some friendly competition within the ALFED team, with CEO Nadine Bloxsome securing an impressive second-place podium, closely followed by Marketing Executive Emily Foster, who recorded the second-fastest lap time within the group at 45 seconds.
Following the simulator session, the team was given a comprehensive tour of Smiths Metal Centres’ Biggleswade headquarters. The visit provided valuable insight into the organisation’s extensive metals stockholding and distribution capabilities. The warehouse tour concluded with a lively and competitive mini golf challenge, where Nadine Bloxsome once again claimed victory among the ALFED team.
The itinerary continued with a visit to Smiths’ UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, where attendees were introduced to the technical capabilities behind tensile testing and Charpy impact testing. A highlight of this session was the “Charpy Champagne Challenge,” during which participants tested their speed and precision, with several ALFED representatives achieving times under four seconds.
Further insight was provided through a quality-focused presentation delivered by Mike Barfoot, who demonstrated how Smiths’ Golden Eye platform supports the delivery of materials that meet client specifications ‘right first time’, reinforcing the company’s commitment to excellence.
Following a hog roast lunch, the group travelled to Milton Keynes for an exclusive tour of the Red Bull Racing Technology Campus. The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced and highly precise environment that underpins the preparation for Formula 1 race days, highlighting the critical role of engineering innovation in elite motorsport.
The day concluded with a well-organised evening dinner, during which winners of the F1 simulator and Charpy Champagne Challenge were recognised. Guests also heard speeches from Smiths’ Mark Dyer and Andy Hayhurst, alongside representatives from Red Bull, providing further insight into innovation within the sector.
Speaking on the day, Smith’s Mike Barfoot commented: “Smiths innovation day was created to showcase our commitment and passion towards supply chain innovation. We are so proud of the work we do and the high standards we achieve so getting to share that first hand with our customers is incredibly rewarding. The innovation day demonstrates how we can develop partnerships with customers and how they can trust our processes to get it right first time”.
Barfoot added: “It takes an incredible amount of hard work and dedication to make days like this happen, but it is so satisfying when you see how much everyone enjoys the day and the pride with which every colleague goes about their work. Today I’m proud that I get to work with such excellent and dedicated people.”
Reflecting on the experience, ALFED expressed our appreciation to Smiths Metal Centres for delivering a truly memorable and inspiring event. It was truly refreshing to witness first-hand Smith’s strong workplace culture, which is evident through its long-standing workforce and continued forward-thinking approach.
To learn more about Smith’s, please visit: www.smithmetal.com
