Bridgnorth Aluminium targets growth in North America under new GM

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Bridgnorth Aluminium has appointed Ilias Avgerinos as General Manager to lead a new expansion push after investment and operational upgrades returned the UK aluminium producer to round-the-clock production.

Avgerinos takes charge as the company targets growth in North America and newer markets including electrification, energy storage and defence. He replaces Gerhard Trilling following a difficult period for the business, which says it has restored full operational performance within two years and built an order book worth more than GBP 300 million (USD 408.83 million). 

“This is a very exciting time to be joining Bridgnorth Aluminium, a company I know well after sitting on the board since 2024,” explained Ilias. 

“We are the UK’s only coil aluminium rolling mill and play a critical role in sectors rangingfrom printing, building and construction, packaging and, increasingly, energy storage. Recent investment has increased our capacity and the ability to explore new markets, and this has seen us grow sales and return to round the clock production in Bridgnorth", he added. 

Expansion follows GBP 180 million investment

The appointment follows completion of a GBP 180 million (USD 245.21) investment programme at Bridgnorth Aluminium’s Stourbridge Road site in July.

The programme included a new thin-gauge slitting line, 35 new jobs and a five-year supply agreement with Lotte Aluminium USA for battery applications. The investment has expanded the company’s production capability and provides an entry point into demand linked to energy storage and electrification. 

Bridgnorth Aluminium describes itself as the UK’s only coil aluminium rolling mill. Its products serve sectors including printing, building and construction, packaging and, increasingly, energy storage. 

“Recent investment has increased our capacity and the ability to explore new markets, and this has seen us grow sales and return to round-the-clock production in Bridgnorth,” Avgerinos said.

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North America and UK market in focus

Avgerinos previously held senior roles within Bridgnorth Aluminium’s parent, Viohalco Group, and has served on the company’s board since 2024.

He said the business sees opportunities in North America, as well as in electrification, energy and defence. He also identified potential in the UK market, where manufacturers are looking to shorten supply chains and secure more domestic production capacity for critical materials. 

The company’s growth strategy therefore combines overseas sales opportunities—particularly in battery-related applications—with the prospect of greater demand from UK manufacturers seeking locally produced aluminium coil.

Workforce central to expansion

Bridgnorth Aluminium employs about 360 people at its Stourbridge Road site. Avgerinos said workforce development, apprenticeships and recruitment would be central to delivering the company’s expansion plans.

“A big part of my focus will be on the 360 people that work at our site,” he said. “If we are going to achieve our expansion plans, we need to retain and develop our committed workforce and attract more talent.”

Nikolina Austin has also joined the company’s leadership team as head of HR after more than a decade at Amazon. Her role will include supporting recruitment and introducing workforce initiatives as Bridgnorth Aluminium seeks to build capacity and enter new markets.

“I want us to nurture this unique culture and make it central to our business going forward, supporting people to progress within the company and using it to attract the best talent here. It’s an exciting time to be involved in aluminium in the UK", she concluded. 

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