Aluminium Columns 30 Years On: Three Decades of ALC (Article)

In 2025, ALC marks 30 years in the design and manufacture of aluminium columns, establishing itself as a trusted leader in the UK.

This milestone demonstrates our progress towards higher standards, stronger partnerships and a reputation built project by project. Looking ahead, we aim to deliver smarter, safer and more sustainable solutions.

Above all, we do so with the experience that earned our trusted place in the industry for aluminium columns in the UK.

Leading Aluminium Columns – Beginnings in Mumbles

Our story begins in 1994 in a small bedroom in Mumbles, Swansea.

Initially, we had to build both a business and an entirely new market. Introducing extruded aluminium columns to the UK meant the early years were anything but easy. Despite many pitches, the fax machine stayed silent.

Mumbles, Swansea

Then, one afternoon, it whirred to life. Paper screeched through and an order appeared — our first. From that moment, ALC’s three decades of progress began.

First Tests of Resolve

Naturally, supplying highway infrastructure from a bedroom brought challenges.

Our first order meant we needed stock and, just as importantly, suitable premises. For weeks we searched without success. When the first lorry finally arrived, it could not reach our makeshift base at the top of a steep hill.

Consequently, Craig and his father, Barry – later ALC’s Chairman – offloaded the lorry by hand. By the end of the day we had stock and, moreover, our first test of resolve behind us.

Leading Aluminium Columns – Finding Space to Grow

Soon after, momentum began to build.

Finally, we secured a base at the former Unit Superheaters & Pipe Co. works on the River Tawe in Swansea.

Marina, River Tawe & Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea

Over the next few years, we supplied columns to local authorities across the UK and built a strong reputation. Eventually, space ran out and growth demanded more room. Some years later we moved to a larger facility in Croeserw, Port Talbot — our home today.

ALC Croeserw Site, Port Talbot

High in the Afan Valley, the site brought new challenges; however, it gave us what we needed most: room to grow. As a result, with greater capacity, we refined production, increased volumes and entered new markets.

Shaping a Market: Partnership and Progress

In the early years, aluminium columns were rare in the UK.

Only around 3% of the national stock was aluminium at the time, compared with about 50% in Europe. Because some early UK examples used sheet aluminium and suffered technical issues, confidence remained stubbornly low.

Therefore, to change that, ALC worked with Nedal Aluminium B.V. Nedal’s long record in Europe gave us the credibility to champion aluminium columns in UK street lighting. Together, we promoted passive safety and the long-term benefits of aluminium. As a result, the market grew and continues to expand today.

ALC and Nedal Staff - 30 Years of Aluminium Columns

ALC and Nedal Representatives at ALC

Since then, our partnership has strengthened. Side by side, we have developed a product range built on quality, service and innovation and a breadth of knowledge our clients rely on every day.

Leading Aluminium Columns – Our Projects

In practice, our partnerships show best in our projects.

Ultimately, each project becomes a proving ground for innovation, reliability and trust. Backed by strong, long-term relationships, we tackle complex issues with confidence.

Whatever the challenge, we have likely solved it before. Therefore, clients gain peace of mind that every project — large or small — will be delivered safely, on time and to a high standard.

Our portfolio spans local authority schemes and nationally significant work. Recent highlights include support for London’s 5G network and projects across Welsh rail. Although these schemes were demanding, our team’s skill and mindset turned them into successes.

In addition, we commit for the long term. Our role in Blackpool’s 25-year streetlighting PFI shows how we work in step with clients over decades to deliver consistent results.

With each new challenge, we refined our abilities in both design and manufacturing. This established the company as a trusted partner, each project demonstrating how expertise and partnerships translate into real-world impact.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Standards and technology keep moving; accordingly, we move with them.

As long-standing members of key industry groups, we help raise the bar for everyone. These include:

We aim to contribute, collaborate and lead. For customers, that means smarter, cost-effective, tailored solutions. Likewise, our focus on quality and technical responsibility pushes us to look deeper and keep improving.

Structural Condition Monitoring System (SCMS)

Our latest innovation is ModeNode Edge, a Structural Condition Monitoring System (SCMS).

It creates a digital twin of a support structure and enables remote condition monitoring. Through a secure portal, clients receive regular insights, including an estimate of remaining useful life.

This early insight can flag potential problems, trigger fast alerts for serious events and support quick responses. Furthermore, it provides clear reasons for repair or replacement, which reduces cost and waste.

Ultimately, innovation only matters if it makes a difference. Our aim remains simple: greater reliability, lower whole-life costs, easier maintenance and improved safety. By setting higher benchmarks, we help lift standards across the industry.

HEA Awards Dinner

Thirty years on, ALC continues to lead the UK in aluminium column design and manufacture. From humble beginnings in Swansea to a national reputation built on innovation, quality, and trust, our journey reflects resilience and partnership.

Into the future we aim to deliver smarter, safer, more sustainable solutions in close cooperation with our partners, building on our established relationships and ensuring the trust of our clients remains at the heart of every project.

Learn more about us here.