ALFED was pleased to welcome members of the Distribution Sector Group to Liverpool for a highly engaging and valuable in-person meeting, kindly hosted by Peel Ports as part of their Heart of Britain campaign.
The event began with an informal networking dinner on the evening of Tuesday 24th March, bringing together members and invited guests for an opportunity to connect ahead of the formal session. Peel Ports provided a short introduction to their operations and the vision behind the Heart of Britain initiative, setting the scene for the discussions that followed.
Sales Manager of Peel Ports Group, Michael Bligh commented: “It was a pleasure to host the ALFED Distribution Sector Group at the Port of Liverpool as part of their quarterly meeting. Through our Heart of Britain campaign and Port + initiative, we were proud to showcase how the port supports critical commodities like aluminium and keeps UK supply chains agile and resilient. Being part of ALFED and its collective voice at this critical time for the industry is something we value greatly. Bringing members on-site highlighted how collaboration and adaptable port operations help navigate a rapidly evolving global trade environment”.
The following morning, members gathered at the Port of Liverpool for the formal meeting, centred on sustainable logistics for the transport of materials. The session explored how ports, distributors and policymakers can work more closely to improve efficiency, resilience and decarbonisation across the aluminium supply chain.
Acting chair of the Distribution Sector Group, John Dolan of Richard Austin Alloys, added: “An excellent onsite visit to Peel Ports, offering valuable insight into the operations of one of the UK’s largest ports. Many thanks to Michael and Gareth for hosting ALFED members and for their warm hospitality.”
A key highlight of the meeting was the Trade & Export Update delivered by Anna Doherty from the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, who provided members with a timely and highly practical overview of the current global trade environment.
Anna’s update covered:
- The evolving geopolitical landscape and its impact on supply chains
- Changes to customs processes, compliance requirements and border controls
- The interaction between logistics, trade flows and emerging policy such as CBAM
Her insights reinforced the increasing importance of data, compliance and agility within distribution operations, and provided members with clear, actionable context to help navigate a rapidly changing trade environment.
Following the meeting, attendees were invited to take part in a guided tour of the port, offering valuable insight into:
- Large-scale port operations
- Materials handling and logistics infrastructure
- Ongoing sustainability initiatives
- The role of ports in strengthening UK supply chain connectivity
The combination of expert insight, peer discussion and real-world site experience provided a strong platform for members to better understand both the immediate challenges and longer-term opportunities across the aluminium supply chain.
Commenting on the day, ALFED Industry & Skills Development Manager, Rachel Wiffen commented: “Events like this ALFED visit to Peel Ports are an opportunity for networking and building collaboration between industry and ports. It was great to see the port operations up close. Supply chain is key in the aluminium industry and visiting Peel Ports has improved understanding of how supply chain, logistics, imports and exports all fit together.”
ALFED would like to extend its sincere thanks to the entire Peel Ports team for their hospitality, organisation and for providing members with such a valuable and insightful experience across both days.
