£600k Schmutz line signals Bridgnorth Aluminium’s next growth phase

In the underfloor heating and cooling application, especially within the automotive sector and data centres, Bridgnorth Aluminium, the UK's leading manufacturer of flat rolled aluminium coils, is undertaking opportunities, which already include an investment in capital equipment.

Given that the firm is the largest employer in the region, it is setting up a refurbished Schmutz line worth GBP 600 thousand (USD 180 thousand) at its spacious facility on Stourbridge Road. With this initiative, the firm is now able to enhance its ability to finish thinner gauge materials in-house.

The equipment, installed and upgraded by skilled engineers, is set to handle the slitting and winding of thin-gauge aluminium reels for customers throughout Wales, the EU and the US.

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By March, the commissioning will be completed and in the next few months, the firm will start with 24.7 operations. The focus of the firm will be on the key areas and introducing new molten metal filtration equipment to cut down on impurities in the casting process.

Additionally, with this investment, the firm is positioning itself as a global frontrunner in flat-rolled aluminium coils for various applications, including lithography, packaging, cooling and heating, electrification and data uses.

Adrian Musgrave, Commercial Director at BAL, said, "It has been a really positive start to 2026, with export orders up, new domestic clients secured and some major advancements in capabilities well on the way to being completed. This is all being achieved against a backdrop of global uncertainty and is real testimony to the long-term strategy the management team has put in place and the way our 330-strong workforce responded to a difficult time for our business in 2023.”

He further added, "Every penny we spend futureproofs our factory in Shropshire and reinforces our commitment to remaining the UK’s last remaining producer of flat rolled aluminium coils. The Schmutz line has also sparked a mini recruitment drive, with a 10 per cent increase in our finishing team that work flexibility across several of our lines."

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At the firm's core, people drive the main growth strategy and with that focus, the firm has initiated a focus group, which is designed to boost employee engagement and retention. This focused group, made up of individuals from various age brackets, job roles and responsibilities, meets regularly to share their thoughts on important topics, suggest improvements, discuss sustainability and explore how the business can better support local organisations.

It is for this initiative that the company has already become part of the Shropshire Investors in Community scheme, which is managed by the Shropshire Community Foundation, giving the company valuable connections to charities and grassroots organisations throughout the county.

To this, Adrian further commented, "We are immensely proud of our heritage, having been a part of the local landscape since the 1950s. Generations of local people have been part of our past story, and we want to explore ways in which the next generation can write their own chapter in our success, ensuring the local economy benefits at the same time."

At present, the firm is actively working with the government and key stakeholders to emphasise the vital role of aluminium as one of the UK’s essential minerals. This is crucial for supporting the country’s transition to Net Zero. 

To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026".