We’re looking forward to attending ‘The Future of Steel Construction’ conference in London on November 13. The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) is holding the event to bring together industry experts, leaders and professionals from across the steel construction sector to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of steel. As a firm supporter of the BCSA and with 106 years in the structural steel business, we’re keen to play our part to help build an even stronger industry. The conference is open to construction steelwork contractors, those in the supply chain, engineers, architects and students. Its programme includes a keynote speech, case study sessions, breakout rooms and lectures, addressing key topics such as: · updates to Second Generation Eurocodes · fire safety · sustainability in steel design · emerging practices such as refurbishment, reuse and hybrid design There will also be an exhibition and a networking drinks reception. We’re looking forward to catching up with fellow leading professionals and companies, hearing about new developments and contributing to the discussion about the ever-evolving world of constructional steel. The day-long conference is being held at The Mermaid Conference Centre at Blackfriars. Please email us at sales@reidsteel.co.uk if you wish to arrange a meeting at the event. If you wish to attend, tickets can be booked at https://bcsa.org.uk/resources/future-of-steel-construction/conference-programme/ where more information is also available about the programme and speakers.
Robust action has been demanded in response to punitive new EU tariffs attacking the UK steel industry. Simon Boyd, managing director of structural steel firm REIDsteel, has called on the UK Government to levy hard-hitting reciprocal measures to protect producers, manufacturers and the wider economy. His comments come after the EU set out plans to cut the amount of tariff-free steel that can be imported into the bloc by half and apply a 50% tariff to all steel imports beyond this. Simon, who campaigned to save British Steel blast furnaces at Scunthorpe earlier this year, warned the tariffs would have a devastating impact. “The total EU market for structural steel is 8 million tonnes per annum, of which the UK is currently granted a tariff-free quota of 108,000 tonnes, equivalent to less than 2% of the market. “Conversely, the UK market is 800,000 tonnes per annum while EU producers have a tariff-free quota of 680,000 tonnes, equivalent to 85% of the UK market. Hardly fair trade. “The EU has announced measures to prevent dumping of Chinese steel into its markets. As part of these measures, the EU proposes to reduce the UK’s tariff-free quota by 50% to less than 1% of their market. “In reality, EU producers have pretty much completely unlimited access to the UK market tariff free while our access to the EU market will be virtually shut down.” Simon added: “All UK producers will be impacted by this change in policy. Not only will exports be impacted but the UK will see a flood of material if we don’t tighten our own trading measures. “The government needs to react boldly and find a way to exclude the UK from this EU action and threaten retaliation with equal and proportionate measures.” The UK steel sector directly employs 36,800 people and supports another 46,000 jobs in the supply chain, according to figures from UK Steel in June of this year. It makes a £1.7bn direct contribution to the UK economy, an additional £2.2bn to the supply chain and a direct contribution of £3.1bn to the UK’s balance of trade. Simon added: “This is a wholly unacceptable attack on the UK steel industry. “The EU may need to prop up its own ailing steel sector and fight off Chinese steel dumping but this cannot be at the expense of the UK. There is no time to lose.” REIDsteel is based in Christchurch, Dorset, UK, has exported to more than 140 countries in 106 years of trading.
Businesses were urged to throw their weight behind the Jobs Foundation at its regional launch in Dorset. The charity held its first South West Business Council event with presentations about its work, a panel discussion and questions and answer session. It champions business as a force for good which creates employment, lifts people out of poverty and boosts social mobility. More than 40 supporters attended its South West Business Council launch at the Captain’s Club in Christchurch. Regional chairman Simon Boyd, who is managing director of Christchurch-based REIDsteel, led the panel discussion with Jobs Foundation president Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell, Aspire Jobs managing director Helen Stacey and Tim Lloyd, who is president of Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce and managing director of the Captain’s Club Hotel and Spa. Topics included the Employment Rights Bill, the South West jobs market, the hospitality sector, industries best positioned to provide jobs of the future and policy proposals to help businesses create the jobs needed to move two million people from welfare into work. The role of AI, apprenticeships, higher education, workplace-ready training for young people, the Budget, underrepresentation of women in the workplace and support for disabled people in employment were among the topics which generated engaging discussions during the Q&A. Lord Elliott called for businesses to raise awareness of its proposals for a new Skills Tax Relief in the Budget to enable businesses to recoup costs associated with apprenticeships, vocational training and work-based learning to create jobs for nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training. REIDsteel was among the earliest supporters of the Jobs Foundation, which has now has more than 1,300 members on its business council nationwide. Simon, who is a trustee of the foundation, issued a rallying cry for people to join. “Numbers started as a trickle but are steadily growing across the business community. “The more businesses we have, the more power we can generate to pass on expertise to help more people into work and effect policy change.” He added: “The Jobs Foundation is a fantastic vehicle of opportunity for young people, disabled people, older people, those out of work and for businesses to come together to share good ideas and do what’s right for our community, our people and our country.“ The South West is the second regional Business Council to be launched nationwide, after the North East in May. Its next event is a policy roundtable at Exeter College in November with 75 business leaders from across the South West. Georgiana Bristol, chief executive of the Jobs Foundation, said: “We were delighted to launch our South West Business Council. “It will host regional policy roundtables, contribute to the Jobs Foundation’s research programme and become a crucial network for our accreditation scheme when it launches in 2026. “Thanks go to our panel, everyone who attended the launch and our South West Business Council Chairman, Simon Boyd, and REIDsteel, without who this event would not have been possible.” The foundation is an independent, non-partisan charity. Its council is free to join. Global structural steel firm REIDsteel was among the founder members of its business council and featured in its launch video. Visit https://thejobsfoundation.com/ to find out more about the Jobs Foundation and https://thejobsfoundation.com/join-us/ to join its business council.
The countdown is on for the launch of the Jobs Foundation’s South West Business Council. It is being held at the Captain’s Club in Christchurch on Thursday September 25 with a panel of speakers chaired by our managing director Simon Boyd. REIDsteel was a founding member of Jobs Foundation and Simon is a trustee of the charity. He was recently appointed chair of the new South West Business Council. The event on September 25 will formally bring together members in the region and introduce the Foundation’s work to those are interested in finding out more about what it does. Panellists at the launch will be recruitment expert Helen Stacey of Aspire Jobs , Jobs Foundation president Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell and Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce president Tim Lloyd , who is managing director of the Captain's Club Hotel and Spa. An independent and non-partisan charity, the Jobs Foundation was founded in 2023. It believes that business is a force for good which generates employment, boosts social mobility and lifts people out of poverty. It also stands firmly behind business by campaigning for policies and measures which allow them to achieve these goals. The launch event in Christchurch will also be an opportunity to give businesses richly-deserved for recognition and thanks for their critical work in creating jobs, generating tax revenues for public services, supporting communities, driving local economies and fostering social cohesion. It is from 3pm to 4.30pm and includes an afternoon tea. To find out more about the event email southwest@thejobsfoundation.com
Simon's Interview commences approximately 33 minutes in... REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd spoke of business concerns when he was a guest on the Daily Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast. Simon appeared on the popular podcast to discuss the Jobs Foundation’s latest report, 'Jobs and Energy' with journalist and columnist Liam Halligan . The conversation also covered such subject matter as the steel sector, manufacturing, the future of British Steel , high electricity costs and the ‘dangerous’ race to net zero. Simon was critical of Ed Miliband , the Secretary for Energy and Climate Change. He said: “He is so far detached from reality and I think it’s quite dangerous.” Simon described net zero as ‘an absolute disaster’ for steel and manufacturing, and said he did not understand the confusing government policy. “They’re encouraging everyone to buy British steel with one hand, but with the other, they demand low carbon content materials. It doesn’t work.” Simon also hit out at government for failing to grasp the importance of business: “It is real madness at the heart of successive governments who don’t understand the principles of good business.” The Planet Normal podcast is hosted by Liam Halligan with fellow Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson . Listen to the episode with Simon here and here :
Global structural steel firm REIDsteel has strengthened its business development team with two high-calibre appointments. The 130-strong firm has welcomed experienced industry professionals Chris Evans and Edith Gil as business development managers under strategic growth plans. Chris joins the market leading company with a 35-year track record in business development and sales in the steel, metals, manufacturing and construction sectors. Multi-lingual Edith comes to REIDsteel with more than 30 years’ experience in business development and sales across multiple sectors worldwide. They join multi-award-winning REIDsteel as the Christchurch-based business continues to grow, expand into new markets and widen its international reach. The company, which has exported to more than 140 countries to date in 106 years of trading, designs, manufactures and supplies steel structures including primary and secondary steel, cladding and glazing for the full building envelope. Its steel structures, including hangars, bridges, stadia, commercial and residential property and disaster resistant buildings designed to withstand such natural events as hurricanes and tsunamis. Simon Boyd, REIDsteel managing director, said: “A very warm welcome goes to Edith and Chris. “They are high-calibre, experienced and results-orientated professionals with proven track records of success in business development across the UK, Europe and world. “They represent an investment in the future of REIDsteel and the company’s strategic growth plans as well as our ability to support even more partners and customers with a smooth and seamless service. “We look forward to seeing Edith and Chris forge the next phases of their successful careers at the company.” Chris will be focusing on business development in the UK and Europe, while Edith’s remit covers international business development. Chris said: “I am excited to start my new role and look forward to introducing many more partners and customers to REID’s exceptional range of steel structures.” Edith, who is fluent in multiple languages including French and Spanish, said: “REIDsteel’s name is a hallmark of quality worldwide which gives me a great starting point in my new role.” REIDsteel supplies steel structures from its headquarters in Christchurch, Dorset, UK, including those shipped worldwide. It can erect the structures with its own inhouse team or supply a supervisor for construction, especially for projects outside of the UK. REIDsteel was the first UK steel contractor to sign the UK Steel Charter and has made British Steel its preferred supplier. The company won a prestigious Structural Steel Design Award – the top industry accolade – for a 'super hangar' at London Biggin Hill Airport to be used by Bombardier in 2022. It is also a four times winner of the Queen’s Award’s for Enterprise (International Trade) to date. Visit https://www.reidsteel.com/ for more information.
We’ve backed calls from an influential pressure group for the government to slash energy costs for business. We’re throwing our weight behind a report by the Jobs Foundation charity warning that soaring energy prices are placing thousands of high-quality jobs at risk and holding back the UK’s long-term economic competitiveness. The Foundation called for action in ‘Jobs and Energy: The effect of high costs on the UK jobs market’ which was timed to co-incide with the government’s publication of its long-awaited industrial strategy. REIDsteel is a member of the foundation’s business council and our managing director Simon Boyd is a trustee. Simon stated in the report: “The impact of persistently high energy costs is doing untold damage to British businesses. “It goes far beyond our heavy industries like steel and chemical plants which are at the core of UK manufacturing. “The result; limited financial resources for businesses to invest in new technologies, upskilling, growth plans and future employment. “If we don’t get serious about tackling the cost of energy, we won’t just lose industries, we’ll lose the chain of businesses that sustain our economy.” The Jobs Foundation gave the first analysis of its kind identifying where in the UK jobs are most at threat because of the high cost of energy and warned that Labour MPs seats are in danger at the next election. Its report highlights that UK industrial electricity prices are among the highest in the developed world – more than 46% above the average of comparator nations. For large users, this premium rises to over 100%, placing British firms at a significant disadvantage in global markets. The government’s new 10-year industrial strategy included measures to reduce electricity costs for 7,000 energy intensive business through a new ‘British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme’ which will exempt companies from paying various green levies but will not come into force until 2027 after a consultation. About 500 of the most energy-intensive firms will also have their network charges cut through an increased discount in the British Industry Supercharger scheme from 60% to 90% from 2026 onwards. Simon said: “These measures are a tacit admission of the failure of the government’s nonsensical and ill-conceived race to net zero policy. “While measures to reduce electricity costs may be welcome for energy intensive businesses, the government needs to get to the root of the problem as a matter of urgency. “That includes immediately abandoning its completely unsustainable race to net zero targets and instead taking a more measured approach which will support our industrial base and help it grow while allowing our country to pursue cleaner energy aspirations in a much more realistic, cost-effective and efficient way.” Earlier this year we launched a Save British Steel campaign to keep steel blast furnaces open in Scunthorpe. We use British Steel in our design, manufacture and erection of steel structures, including bridges, aircraft hangars and airports, around the world. The Jobs Foundation is a charity (1202928) set up to champion the role of business as a force for good, supporting the crucial role companies play giving people a step up in life by providing jobs and training opportunities. It is a non-partisan organisation led by president Matthew Elliott and chief executive Georgiana Bristol. Visit https://thejobsfoundation.com/jobs-and-energy-the-effect-of-high-energy-costs-on-the-uk-jobs-market/ to read the Jobs Foundation report.
Our managing director Simon Boyd showed REIDsteel’s support in person on a visit to British Steel in Scunthorpe. He met staff and was given a tour of the works when he saw one of the blast furnaces which has been saved from closure. Simon presented senior management and blast furnace workers with framed prints thanking the company for supporting REIDsteel by making the finest steel in the world. Simon is pictured presenting the gifts to management and workers in front of the Queen Anne furnace. They show 3,250 tonnes of steel made and forged in Scunthorpe and Teesside in structures designed, fabricated and exported to South East Asia by REIDsteel. The citation reads: “Thank you to everyone at British Steel. “Without you it would not have been possible for us to design and manufacture these structures under the banner of Made in Britain. “To date we have used British steel in projects throughout the UK and in over 140 countries across the world. Including the one on the right, due for completion in 2026. “British made steel, the finest.” REIDsteel was the first steelwork contractor to sign the UK Steel Charter and has made British Steel its preferred supplier. Simon has been a vocal support of British Steel during its recent challenges. He said: “REIDsteel is incredibly proud to be supporting British Steel, which produces the finest steel in the world. “I am grateful to British Steel for a fantastic visit and the opportunity to meet the staff who are taking the company forward to better times. “I urge the government to press on with taking British Steel under full public ownership, at which point it can plan new investment for a long and prosperous future for steelmaking in the UK.”
We're proud to have renewed our membership as a Platinum Business Partner with Dorset Chamber. The chamber's chief executive Ian Girling visited our headquarters in Christchurch to present a certificate marking the partnership to our Managing Director Simon Boyd, who is a also a member of the chamber's board. We first became a Platinum Business Partner in 2020 and have seen first hand all of the valuable work the chamber does to support businesses in the area, fight their corner and help drive the local economy. It is one of the most progressive, dynamic and successful chambers of commerce in the country. As a leading employer with its roots in the local area and a major contributor to the supply chain, our platinum business partnership allows us to support the chamber, the business community and the local economy too. We're looking forward to building an even stronger relationship with the chamber - and our fellow business partners - over the coming year. Standing together has never been more important.
