Metals Forum appoint new chairman
Metals Forum has announced the appointment of David Baron as chairman of the 12-strong trade association alliance representing the metals industry.
Mr Baron is also general manager of the Galvanizers Association and a director of the Non-Ferrous Alliance. He retains both positions alongside his new role. Metals Forum was formed four years ago as an umbrella organisation representing the UK metals industry to government and the media, and during this time it has lobbied on key industry issues such as energy, transport and over-regulation.
“The metals industry has experienced strong demand across most metals over the last two years,” said Mr Baron. “And the good news is that ferrous and non-ferrous companies alike have generally had a good start to 2008. The current weakness of sterling gives us some optimism for export-led growth during the rest of the year.”
The metals industry accounts for one in eight manufacturing jobs, employing 400,000 people. The sector’s annual sales are approximately £47 billion.
Metals manufacturing includes activities such as making steel, copper and aluminium, producing castings and forgings, fabrication and then recycling the materials at the end of their useful life. These activities and their applications are all featured in a new Forum publication entitled ‘The Metals Circle.’
