Bridgnorth Aluminium played its part in Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day by welcoming a large number of students to its headquarters.
The annual event is designed to showcase the importance of manufacturing across the UK, bringing together companies, schools, colleges, businesses and communities.
Events held to mark the occasion are designed to highlight a wide range of careers and opportunities in the sector, through demonstrations, talks, factory tours and workshops.
The UK’s last remaining aluminium coil rolling mill threw open its doors to 17 students and four teachers from Bridgnorth Endowed School, giving them a behind the scenes tour of the operation.
Students were given a breakdown of what happens at the factory, and what can be offered to young people aiming to forge out a career in the manufacturing industry.
Future job tips were given out along with the history of the company’s owners Viohalco, before a site tour allowed students to see hands on how Bridgnorth Aluminium creates its products and the process behind it.
Students were sent away with leaflets and posters regarding potential apprenticeships, as teachers hailed the event as a ‘brilliant education for students’.
Learning and development supervisor Adam Thorpe was pleased to welcome the group – and explained how they could well be part of the future operation of the company.
He said: “It is always great to hold events such as this one and welcome young students from the local area, to see exactly what we do here.
“To have so many enthusiastic students being inquisitive about the work we do is really good to see.
“We always have that big emphasis on our local community, and the students who took part will probably have family who work here or know people who do work here.
“We are built on our local community, and we could well be built on these young people in the coming years so it was great to showcase the opportunities that could be available to them.”
National Manufacturing Day is run by Make UK and takes place annually on the last Thursday in September. On the day, manufacturers across the UK open their doors, inviting the public behind the scenes to see modern manufacturing in action.
The aim is to give local communities, schools and colleges a look at the range of careers the sector offers, with apprenticeships promoted as an alternative route after school or college.
The day celebrates every part of the industry, including automotive, food and drink, aerospace, defence, chemical and pharma, and any UK manufacturing business can take part, big or small, without needing to be a Make UK member. This year’s event took place on Thursday 24 September 2026.
Find out more at makeuk.org/national-manufacturing-day