Friday 8th March marks the 113th celebration of International Women’s Day! Dedicating a specific day aimed at empowering women and moving towards a gender equal world since 1911, International Women’s Day focuses on the am of creating a world that is free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; replacing those three things with diversity, equitability and inclusivity. Everybody who actively takes part in International Women’s Day makes a pledge to stand together to forge women’s equality. That’s why for 2024, the key theme is to #InspireInclusion.
To delve a bit into the sheer lack of women who are currently working within the metals industry, we conducted a survey amongst Aluminium Federation (ALFED) members to capture their data. According to the results, 57.1% of respondents said that between 0-10% of their workforce is female. 42.9% said that 10-25% of their workforce is female.
Therefore, at ALFED, our position as the voice of the UK aluminium industry with over 170 members across the entire UK supply chain, we thought there was no better initiative that to launch a member spotlight campaign, highlighting the incredible work our female members do across the industry to inspire the inclusion of women and to encourage them to want to enter the metals sector.
So, let’s get started on hearing what our members have to say!
Mechatherm International Limited
- By Terri-Ann Bethell, Marketing Executive
“In recent decades, we’ve witnessed significant strides towards gender equality in the workplace. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, challenging stereotypes, and making invaluable contributions to traditionally male-dominated sectors. The aluminium industry is no exception.
For the first time in Mechatherm history, a woman takes a seat on the board, a woman is at the head of Mechatherm’s integral Services division, we have a female PhD in Mechanical Engineering researching our future product development and 50% of our customer facing shows and events team are women, each one bringing new perspectives and innovations to their role.
We hope that breaking down stereotypes in these roles inspires and welcomes the next generation of women to the industry”.
Professional Polishing Services (PPS) Ltd
- By Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Managing Director of PPS and Founder of Women With Metal
“Aluminium is a sustainable and innovative material and increased diversity in the sector can only enhance this. With thirty-five years working within the metals sector, I know what a rewarding career this is and that are some incredibly talented women working in the sector. Hopefully through Women With Metal, Professional Polishing Services and the Women In Industry podcast we can promote the metal sector to more young people as an exciting career choice”.
Countrywide Metals Ltd
- By Amy Bird, Business Development Manager & Founder of Women In Scrap
“I have been working in the recycling industry for 30 years with my first job at 16 years old being to calculate the weight loss on each batch of aluminium melted in my Dad’s aluminium furnaces, every load of aluminium we bought would be given a ticket showing the full weight and the estimated weight loss; whichever loads were melted on any given day would be placed in an envelope so that when the de-ox we manufactured were weighed off we would know whether the source material had been graded accurately. Aluminium manufacturing has obviously come a long way but the fundamental lessons I learned back in the day still hold true and have helped me develop my current business, whilst we do not melt anymore, we do recycle 1000 tonnes of aluminium per month between my two companies.
Women in scrap has evolved from my desire to take the best of all skill sets regardless of gender to help business’ achieve the best results possible. We need to give more women the confidence and skills to get a seat at the leadership table. There is evidence that women are twice as likely to welcome new challenges compared to their male counterparts, we need to provide safe spaces within our business’ for a difference of opinion to be ok; ultimately that one idea might catapult a business to greatness and then everyone wins”.
ARUN Technology
- By Anna Richardson, Head of UK Operations
“The women at ARUN Technology Limited have very important roles. As a leading analytical instruments provider for the metals industry, it is their job to make sure ARUN is providing the right technology, to the right people in the UK and globally. In their own right, and through their professional knowledge and experience, they are a successful team, delivering high quality instruments and value to their customers. We hope to encourage other women who want to be a part of the industry that there is space for your skills and expertise; whether you choose to work in the foundries and factory floor, or in another capacity”.
BOAL Extrusion UK Ltd
- By Emma Swann, General Manager
“Joining BOAL Extrusion UK as Finance Director in 2022 and in just over a year having the opportunity to become General Manager, demonstrates the commitment at BOAL to recognise strengths in its employees, regardless of gender. I am learning fast in the aluminium industry and promote a culture of equality and diversity in the workplace. I’m proud to be the only female GM at a UK aluminium extruder.”
BOAL Extrusion UK have also highlighted the incredible work conducted by Joanne Watson, a valued member of their Sales Team. Following joining the BOAL team in November 2011, Jo covers the South of the UK as a Regional Business Manager and also facilitates new business referrals from existing customers in a national UK capacity. Working alongside Caroline Payne, with her impressive 32-year tenure at BOAL UK, they form a dynamic duo providing unparalleled customer service support.
BOAL Extrusion UK are committed to fostering a gender-neutral workplace where talent thrives, offering long-term career opportunities for all. It’s a point of pride that their first extrusion customer from 1990 remains a loyal client today”.
Empire Resources UK LTD
- Dinhara Walters, UK Sales Manager
As a 100% female team, The Empire ladies hope that their presence and success in the UK metals Industry aspires other women to take a leap of faith and enter an ever increasing number of women in our sector.
To find out more about ALFED, or to become a member, please visit: www.alfed.org.uk.
