S04E08 | The Original Metal Guys with Graham Comerford and Chris Price

Episode Title: Lessons from the Old School of Stainless SteelHosts: Peter Comerford and Michael Bolton Guests: Graham Comerford and Chris Price Release Date: 20th May 2026 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Metal Guys Talk Business, Pete and Mike are joined by two long-standing figures from the stainless steel industry, Graham Comerford and Chris Price. The conversation explores how the industry used to operate, from commercial apprenticeships and learning the fundamentals of stainless steel, through to the rise of specialist distribution, manufacturing, international sourcing and major mergers within the sector. Chris and Graham share stories from RGB Stainless, Avesta, Valen Fittings and Stock Services, discussing everything from relationship-driven selling and technical product knowledge to redundancies, importing material from China and the changing nature of the UK metals industry. A nostalgic but honest conversation about how the trade has evolved over the last 40 years. Key Topics CoveredStarting Out in the Stainless Steel IndustryChris explains how failing his 11-plus ultimately led him into a commercial apprenticeship within the steel industry before progressing into stainless steel distribution.Graham shares his own route into the sector after leaving the army and joining RG Brand Stainless Steel with no prior knowledge of the industry.The discussion highlights how apprenticeships and hands-on learning created strong technical grounding for many people entering the trade during that era.RGB Stainless & Industry TrainingA major part of the episode centres around RGB Stainless and the level of technical product knowledge expected within the business.The group discuss:Product training and technical specificationsUnderstanding grades and applicationsWhy specialists commanded higher marginsThe importance of learning manufacturing processesThe conversation contrasts this with today’s market, where many salespeople operate transactionally without deep technical understanding, and Graham reflects on moving from stainless steel distribution into manufacturing with Valen and the operational lessons that came with it. Topics include:Quality systems and process controlThe realities of factory operationsLearning from engineering-led businessesWhy manufacturing knowledge improved commercial understandingThe discussion reinforces how valuable operational exposure can be for commercial teams within metal businesses. The episode also explores how recruitment within the industry historically relied heavily on reputation and networks rather than formal recruitment processes.Chris discusses:Being approached directly for senior rolesThe dangers of hiring purely based on customer contactsWhy curiosity and technical understanding mattered more than a “black book”The conversation naturally moves into how recruitment and retention have changed across the sector. One of the more serious sections of the episode focuses on industry mergers and the difficult process of redundancies following consolidation within the stainless market. Graham reflects candidly on:Closing branchesManaging redundanciesThe emotional impact on employees and familiesWhy many mergers failed to deliver expected resultsThe group discuss how customer loyalty often sat with individuals rather than large organisations. The conversation also covers the shift from UK and European manufacturing dominance towards imported material from Asia.Topics include:Japanese imports entering the marketTechnical prejudice around overseas productsChinese pipe imports in the 2000sAnti-dumping tariffsMargin erosion within distributionPete also shares stories from Stock Services importing stainless pipe during the mid-2000s and the realities of quality control when sourcing internationally. The episode finishes with reflections on how technology transformed the sector:Reduced staffing requirementsComputerised stock systemsFaster pricing and quotingLess technical interaction with customersThe group question whether modern distribution businesses still develop product specialists in the same way they once did. This episode is a look back at:Traditional apprenticeshipsTechnical sellingRelationship-driven businessThe evolution of stainless steel distributionHow globalisation reshaped the sectorA fascinating conversation for anyone who has worked within the metals, manufacturing or engineering industries over the last few decades. SEASON FOUR of The Metal Guys Talk Business is sponsored by:SteelBuy, a digital platform revolutionising the way businesses trade metal products online.NERO Pipeline Connections, a trusted UK stockholder of stainless steel valves, fittings, and pipeline products, supporting industries from process to precision.Comton Group, Recruitment Engineered for Metal and Manufacturing.The Metal Guys Talk Business is created and produced by Comton Group. Contact us via our social media channels to discuss the podcast and recruitment solutions for your business.Social Media AccountsLinkedIn: Michael Bolton - Mike Peter Comerford - Pete Comton Group - Comton GroupTikTok:  Mike - @comtonmike Pete - @comtonpeteInstagram: Mike - @comtonmike Pete - @comtonpete