Show Notes to Follow

Show notes to follow.

Host: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton

Guest: Nick Robbins and Mark McGregor

Episode Title: Matsource

Release Date: July 2nd, 2024

Episode Summary:

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Key Topics Covered:

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Learn more about Matsource: Website Link
Connect with Mark McGregor on LinkedIn and Nick Robbins on LinkedIn

SEASON THREE of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

SteelBuy - SteelBuy are a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.

TW Metals - TW Metals are a stockholder and distributor of Nickel Alloy, Aluminium, Titanium and Stainless Steel products in a range of forms including Tube, Bar, Pipe, Extrusion as well as Sheets and Plates.

Comton Group - A recruitment agency powering employment in the Metal, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.

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The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.

Social Media Accounts:

Follow us on LinkedIn
TikTok: comtonpete and comtonmike
Instagram: comtonmike and comtonpete

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mike and Pete are joined by Joe Stallion for a deep dive into the intricacies of marketing and sales within the industrial sector. The discussion highlights the unique challenges faced by businesses in this sector, strategies for managing customer expectations, and the importance of building a strong online presence.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction :
   • The show opens with an introduction to Joe's background and current roles in the industrial space.
   • Joe discusses the challenges he faces in his role, emphasising the difficulty of managing customer expectations.
2. Choosing the Industrial sector:
   • Joe discusses why he chose to work in the industrial market sector and explains the unique opportunities and challenges of working in this field.
3. Sales Process and Customer Expectations:
   • Discussion on how businesses often have unrealistic expectations, especially during tough market conditions.
   • Strategies for managing these expectations and educating clients on realistic outcomes and budgets.
4. Marketing Strategies and Challenges:
   • The conversation shifts to effective marketing strategies within the metal industry, particularly in the digital age.
   • Importance of maintaining a consistent online presence through social media, email campaigns, and other digital marketing tactics.
   • Insights on how to measure the success of these marketing efforts and the challenges of tracking leads from various sources.
5. Building a Brand in the Metal Industry:
   • Joe explores the concept of branding within the metal industry, noting how even traditional businesses need to develop a strong brand identity.
   • The hosts discuss the evolution of LinkedIn from a recruitment tool to a professional networking platform and its role in brand building.
6. Content Creation and Management:
   • Emphasis on the importance of regular content creation and how often businesses should engage with their audience through different channels.
   • Challenges of creating impactful content that resonates with the audience and generates meaningful engagement.
7. Future Trends and Opportunities:
   • Joe and the hosts discuss future opportunities within the metal industry, including the potential for growth in international markets.
   • The impact of digital transformation on traditional business practices and how companies can adapt to stay competitive.

Connect with Joe Stallion on LinkedIn
To find out more about Solvi-Digital take a look at their website.

SEASON THREE of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

SteelBuy - SteelBuy are a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.

TW Metals - TW Metals are a stockholder and distributor of Nickel Alloy, Aluminium, Titanium and Stainless Steel products in a range of forms including Tube, Bar, Pipe, Extrusion as well as Sheets and Plates.

Comton Group - A recruitment agency powering employment in the Metal, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.

–

The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.

Social Media Accounts:

Follow us on LinkedIn
TikTok: comtonpete and comtonmike
Instagram: comtonmike and comtonpete

Host: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton

Guest: Gail Thomas, VP & Managing Director at TW Metals

Episode Title: Navigating Aerospace Supply Chain Challenges

Release Date: June 18th, 2024

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode, we delve into the intricate world of aerospace supply chain management with Gail Thomas, a seasoned expert with over 46 years of experience in the industry. We explore the current pain points, geopolitical impacts, and the future outlook for material procurement in aerospace.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to the Industry:
   • Gail shares their journey into the metals industry, starting at age 16, and the various roles they have held over the years, leading to their current position.
   • Discussion on the evolution of the company from its early days to becoming TW Metals.
2. Current State of the Aerospace Sector:
   • Analysis of the aerospace industry's current challenges, including material shortages and extended lead times, exacerbated by geopolitical events such as the conflict in Ukraine.
   • Impact of supply chain disruptions on production schedules, with lead times stretching from 18 weeks for stainless steel to over 80 weeks for titanium.
3. Geopolitical and Economic Influences:
   • Exploration of how geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia and potential issues with Chinese and Korean products, are affecting the aerospace supply chain.
   • Discussion on anti-dumping duties and their impact on procurement strategies and business operations.
4. Supply Chain Management Strategies:
   • Insight into how TW Metals navigates these challenges through strong partnerships and forward-booking, providing some level of protection against supply chain volatility.
   • Considerations for risk management when dealing with long lead times and uncertain geopolitical climates.
5. Technological and Market Developments:
   • Examination of new technologies, such as 3D printing, and their potential impact on the aerospace supply chain. While promising, widespread adoption in the near term is not anticipated.
   • Ongoing demand for niche products like 21-6-9 stainless steel, despite predictions of their decline.
6. Future Opportunities and Industry Trends:
   • Discussion on opportunities within the aerospace sector, particularly through acquisitions rather than startups due to high entry barriers.
   • Reflections on the importance of maintaining a controlled supply chain to manage the complexities of aerospace manufacturing

Learn more about TW Metals: Website Link
Connect with Gail Thomas on LinkedIn

SEASON THREE of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

SteelBuy - SteelBuy are a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.

TW Metals - TW Metals are a stockholder and distributor of Nickel Alloy, Aluminium, Titanium and Stainless Steel products in a range of forms including Tube, Bar, Pipe, Extrusion as well as Sheets and Plates.

Comton Group - A recruitment agency powering employment in the Metal, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.

–

The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.

Social Media Accounts:

Follow us on LinkedIn
TikTok: comtonpete and comtonmike
Instagram: comtonmike and comtonpete

Hosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton

Episode Title: The Metal Guys are Back!

Release Date: June 11th, 2024

Welcome back to "The Metal Guys Talk Business" for the much-anticipated Season 3!

In this episode, hosts Pete Comerford and Mike Bolton kick off the new season with exciting updates, reflections on the past year, and plans for the upcoming episodes. After almost a year-long hiatus, the podcast returns with a commitment to weekly releases, bringing fresh content and insightful conversations to our dedicated listeners.

In this episode we discuss

1. Season 3 Launch and Schedule:
   • The episode marks the beginning of Season 3, promising weekly releases for 15 weeks of 2024.
   • Pete and Mike discuss the break they took and their renewed commitment to consistency in delivering high-quality content.
2. Reflections and Lessons Learned:
   • We reflect on the 21 episodes from previous seasons and share insights gained from recording four episodes for this season.
   • We emphasise the importance of staying relevant and informative by continuously exploring industry trends and career stories.
3. Guest Appearances and Industry Insights:
   • Upcoming episodes will feature a variety of guests, including Terry Sargent, CEO of SteelBuy, and Grant Adams, CEO of Sertec discussing manufacturing challenges and innovations.
   • Mike highlights the value of reaching a wider audience in the sector aiming to peak the interest of service providers, manufacturers and engineers.
4. Engagement and Community Building:
   • We discuss how the podcast aims to foster deeper engagement with its audience by encouraging debates and discussions on industry-specific topics.
   • We also address past feedback and plan to incorporate more controversial and thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful conversations.
5. Marketing Strategies and Content Creation:
   • Future episodes will delve into effective marketing strategies within the industrial sector.
   • We also talk about an upcoming episode focusing on niche marketing and content production aimed at driving action and engagement.

Looking Forward:

As "The Metal Guys Talk Business" embarks on Season 3, we are excited about the new direction and the opportunity to engage more deeply with their audience. Listeners can look forward to a mix of personal stories, industry insights, and expert opinions that will provide valuable perspectives on the latest trends and challenges.

So stay tuned for our weekly episodes, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast platform. Join the conversation on social media and let us know what topics you want us to explore next!

Tune in next week for another exciting episode of The Metal Guys talk Business where we meet Gail Thomas from TW Metals.

SEASON THREE of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

SteelBuy - SteelBuy are a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.

TW Metals - TW Metals are a stockholder and distributor of Nickel Alloy, Aluminium, Titanium and Stainless Steel products in a range of forms including Tube, Bar, Pipe, Extrusion as well as Sheets and Plates.

Comton Group - A recruitment agency powering employment in the Metal, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.

–

The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.

Social Media Accounts:

Follow us on LinkedIn
TikTok: comtonpete and comtonmike
Instagram: comtonmike and comtonpete

In this BONUS episode, Pete speaks with Rob Cooper and Eric Partington about the new Stainless Steel in the Food and Beverage Industry event, which will be held on 9th March 2023 at the Warwickshire Golf and Country Club, Leek Wootton, Warwick.

The event is jointly hosted by the British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA), the Nickel Institute and the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG), and will showcase a variety of information and material relating to the use of stainless steel in the food and beverage industry.

Rob Cooper, Managing Director of the BSSA, and Eric Partington, Chair of the EHEDG UK & Ireland regional group and consultant to the Nickel Institute, share their thoughts about why the event is important and who will benefit from attending.

With so many grades of stainless steel and the rules around hygienic design and food-safe materials being updated, this is essential listening for anyone involved in supplying material or producing machinery for use in the food and beverage industry.

For tickets to the event, contact Rob Cooper via LinkedIn or visit this link: https://bssa.org.uk/event/stainless-steel-in-the-food-and-beverage-industry/

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SEASON TWO of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

The UK Metals Expo - 13th-14th September 2023, NEC Birmingham - ukmetalsexpo.com

Anglo Stainless - Supplier of stainless steel pipes, fittings and flanges - anglostainless.co.uk

Amron Architectural - Specialists in metal meshes and architectural finishes - www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

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The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group. Comton Group are a Metal and Engineering Agency supplying Temporary, Permanent and Contract Staff, as well as Media and Marketing services. Comton Group also publish a digital publication 'The Metal Magazine', which features the latest news and information from across the Metal and Engineering sectors.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast, recruitment and our marketing solutions for your business.

https://linktr.ee/comtongroup

In this episode, Pete and Mike met Terry Sargeant, the new CEO of SteelBuy and the current Chairman and CEO of ThyssenKrupp UK PLC.

We've spoken with a number of e-commerce platforms since we started the podcast, and Terry gave us some great insight into the why, how and future plans for this website. With finance in place, a clear plan and a small but growing team, it will be interesting to see how this platform performs in the coming months and years.

The SteelBuy website makes the following statement about the business:

"SteelBuy is an easy-to-use online marketplace that instantly connects buyers and sellers to trade quickly and anonymously, without compromising on quality.

"Buy and sell from anywhere, at any time!"

The website goes live on the 2nd of December 2022 and will be officially unveiled at the ISTA Annual Luncheon on that same day.

Amongst other things, we talk about:

* Why now
* Initial funding and the feasibility study
* Compliance, anti-corruption and anti-trust
* ThyssenKrupp and its involvement

* £22 million for the UK and more to come for Europe and the USA
* Products at launch, and the next steps

* Anonymity for buyers
* How the site works
* Payments, terms and conditions and credit
* Who can sell on the platform, and vetting suppliers
* Human vs Digital interactions
* Growth Strategy and a multinational, gender-diverse team
* If the platform is really a win-win for suppliers and buyers

This podcast was recorded on November 29th 2022

To find out more about SteelBuy, check out the links below:

Website https://steel-buy.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/steelbuy/

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SEASON TWO of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:

The UK Metals Expo - 13th-14th September 2023, NEC Birmingham - ukmetalsexpo.com

Anglo Stainless - Supplier of stainless steel pipes, fittings and flanges - anglostainless.co.uk

Amron Architectural - Specialists in metal meshes and architectural finishes - www.amronarchitectural.co.uk

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The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group. Comton Group are a Metal and Engineering Agency supplying Temporary, Permanent and Contract Staff and Media and Marketing services. Comton Group also publish a digital publication 'The Metal Magazine', which features the latest news and information from across the Metal and Engineering sectors.

Contact us on our social media channels to discuss the podcast, recruitment and our marketing solutions for your business.

https://linktr.ee/comtongroup