{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Metal Guys Talk Business","title":"S04E07 | Steel Distribution to Battery Manufacturing, The Avocet Journey with Kieren Hall","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/dafb5ce9\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5268,"description":"In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike sit down with Kieren Hall, CEO of Avocet Battery Materials, to explore the transition from traditional steel distribution into advanced battery component manufacturing.\nKieren shares how he joined his father’s steel trading business in 2012, the decision to move beyond distribution, and the realities of building a manufacturing operation from scratch. The conversation covers Innovate UK grants, raising private investment during COVID, technical challenges in battery production, and the importance of culture, agility and incremental improvement when scaling a business.\nThis episode provides a practical look at what it really takes to move from trading materials to manufacturing proprietary products in a globally competitive market.\nKey Topics Covered\nFrom Lifestyle Business to Manufacturing Ambition\nKieren joined the family steel trading business in 2012, stepping straight into sales. By 2018, despite a stable and comfortable operation, he wanted to build something more than a distribution model.\nThe ambition was clear: move from selling other people’s products to manufacturing something in-house.Entering the Battery Industry\nIn 2020, Avocet secured a competitive Innovate UK grant to develop battery connector technology.The opportunity created immediate pressure:A £1.4m project with 50% co-funding requirementsThe need to raise private investmentBuilding a credible business plan for a manufacturing startupKieren explains the realities of pitching to investors, structuring financial forecasts, and learning to sell not just a product, but a vision.\nThe Reality of Manufacturing, moving from distribution to manufacturing proved significantly more complex than expected.Challenges included:Specialist surface treatments not openly documented in the marketEquipment limitations when working with softer metalsThe need to build in-house R&D capabilityWhat began as unexpected technical obstacles ultimately became...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/KXiCZ49whjSVfWAnjiwjK62bID0kBmtfjoKYvvC240c/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80MmY2/NWQ1MThiYWU5YTc5/Yzg5MGQ3ZDZjOGI3/OTE2Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}