MP visit endorses Welsh steel fabricating sector

MP for Llanelli, Dame Nia Griffith, praised the contribution and potential of the Welsh constructional steelwork sector during a visit to Shufflebottom (part of the Embrace Steel Group).

Based at Cross Hands, near Llanelli, 70–75% of the company’s work has traditionally focused on major agricultural projects, but it is now expanding into healthcare, education and defence.

The visit, arranged by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), formed part of a UK wide programme designed to connect MPs with steelwork fabricators in their constituencies.

Zoe Williams, representing the BCSA, raised issues including the rising cost of energy, which continues to place pressure on energy-intensive manufacturers, and the ongoing recruitment challenges affecting the wider sector. She also discussed the association’s recent campaign regarding the Net Zero Teesside project and the potential loss of work for UK steel fabricators, and the fact that Chinese Steel is being imported for a significant sized national flagship project.

Dame Nia Griffith MP said: “I was very pleased to hear that Shufflebottom is tendering for work on the Electric Arc Furnace in Port Talbot. I want to see local firms taking up as many supply chain opportunities as possible in the exciting investments we are seeing in South West Wales such as the off-shore wind farms, development of the ports to service them and the defence establishments.”

Richard Wigley, Commercial & Technical Director at Shufflebottom, added: “We were delighted to host Nia and truly appreciated the time she took to meet with our wider team and see our facilities first-hand.

“It was a great opportunity to discuss our ongoing investments, current processes, and future plans, as well as the work we are doing to drive efficiency and innovation. As a local MP, her interest in manufacturing and the steelwork sector is very encouraging for both our workforce and the wider regional supply chain.”