UK Metals Expo Q&A: Marcegaglia’s Alison Taylor

Marcegaglia’s Alison Taylor is keen to discuss the near-term market outlook when she joins MEPS’s stainless steel debate at the UK Metals Expo 2024.

Taylor, Marcegaglia Sheffield’s head of sales (bar), is part of the Stainless Steel Market: Exploring Trends and Price Dynamics panel which will take place at the Supply Chain, Trade and Policy theatre from 11am on September 12. 

The debate will be hosted by MEPS’s head of price analysis and forecasts, Kaye Ayub, and is one of two MEPS discussions at UK Metals Expo 2024.  

• MEPS’s presence at UK Metals Expo will be centred around its stand, B50. Click here to book a free consultation with a market analyst. 

Here, as part of a series of articles introducing MEPS’s UK Metals Expo panellists, Taylor describes her career in the steel industry and why she is looking forward to being at the NEC Birmingham on September 11/12.  

How did you start your career in the steel sector? 

I’ve always worked in industry in some form. It started when a friend of my father's gave me a role in his tool room while I was studying for my A-levels. At the time, I had wanted to be a teacher, but he offered to pay me if I continued to work for him and I agreed to complete an engineering degree. Ultimately, I studied mechanical engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and stayed with that business for four years. After that, I moved to the automotive technology business GKN, in Chesterfield, to work initially as an internal auditor. I was then given opportunities to work in quality engineering, lean manufacturing processes and logistics. Wherever I've been, I’ve been lucky enough to be offered opportunities and my attitude has always been ‘well, how hard can it be?’ 

How did you progress to the job you have today? 

When GKN Sheepbridge closed in 2007 I joined Outokumpu. I was initially part of Outokumpu’s lean manufacturing project, but took on other roles, eventually becoming the general manager of the stainless ASR (alloy steel rods) and bar facility. I’ve now been in my current role with Marcegaglia for around a year. Just 5% of what we produce is sold here in the UK, so it involves a lot of travelling.  

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Though I’m still based in Sheffield, I love the travel involved in my role. One of the things I like most is going to visit customers and seeing the interesting and innovative ways our products are being used for myself.

What is the biggest day-to-day challenge faced by your business? 

At the moment, the market is the most challenging thing. We went through such a high period in 2021/22, as the world markets corrected themselves, and now at a lower level than we have seen in previous years. People are feeling that. There is a lot going on in the import market and imports are the biggest challenge to the bar business. In Europe, we comply with sustainable raw materials sourcing, and environmental and employment standards. We’re proud of the products we produce and how we produce them.

Do you foresee a standout ‘hot topic’ for the UK Metals Expo? 

I think what people will be most interested in is where the market is going in the short and medium term. I think there will also be a discussion around actions that are being taken by organisations like UK Steel to ensure that we are operating on a level playing field.

What do you hope to take away from the event? 

Last year I attended the event with Marcegaglia but we were there to walk the floor and meet people. This time we have a stand (D86), so we have a focal point to meet customers. It’s really important that we raise awareness of Marcegaglia’s offering in the UK. People are familiar with our previous names of Outokumpu and Avesta but few associate Marcegaglia with long products in the UK. That’s something we’re out to change.