Encouraging More Diversity in Agriculture and Engineering

Ali Bell • March 17, 2026

Agriculture and engineering have traditionally been male-dominated industries, but that is slowly beginning to change. Across the sector, more women are building careers on farms, running rural businesses and working in the industries that support agriculture.

 

At S&A Fabrications, we believe that’s something worth encouraging.

In the video, created as part of our sponsorship of the Women in Agriculture Award at the Northern Farmer Awards, our Managing Director, Simon Pelly, talks briefly about why it’s important for businesses like ours to support and recognise the growing role of women in the industry. Whether it’s working directly on farms or in engineering, manufacturing or rural services, attracting a broader range of people into the sector will only make it stronger for the future.

 

While progress is being made, barriers still exist. Agriculture and engineering can sometimes be perceived as difficult industries for women to enter, particularly for those who may not have grown up around farming or practical engineering work. Visibility and encouragement are important in helping to change that perception.

 

Fortunately, there are some fantastic role models helping to lead the way. People like Harriet Cowan are helping to showcase the reality of modern farming, demonstrating the skill, resilience and professionalism required while inspiring the next generation to consider careers in the sector.

 

Across the UK, the role of women in agriculture is becoming more visible and influential. From farmers and farm managers to engineers, mechanics and rural business owners, women are helping drive innovation and resilience throughout the sector. As the industry evolves, encouraging more women to consider careers in farming, engineering and agricultural support businesses will be essential to ensuring the sector continues to thrive.

 

Supporting initiatives such as the Women in Agriculture Award at the Northern Farmer Awards is one small way we can recognise the women already making a difference across the industry. But it’s also about the future.

 

As a business that works closely with the farming community, we’re always keen to encourage people with the right attitude, skills and enthusiasm to consider a career with us. Whether that’s through engineering, fabrication, installation or the many other roles that support British agriculture, we believe opportunities in our sector should be open to everyone.

 

The more diverse the talent coming into agriculture and the industries around it, the stronger and more resilient the sector will be for years to come.


By Simon Pelly April 26, 2026
Following our recent update on steel market volatility, further changes are now set to impact pricing across the UK from July 2026. These developments are driven by a combination of government policy and ongoing supply-demand imbalance. The UK’s Ongoing Steel Shortfall The UK continues to use significantly more steel than it produces domestically. On average: UK production sits at around 5–6 million tonnes per year Demand typically reaches 9–11 million tonnes per year This gap means the UK relies heavily on imported steel to meet demand—often accounting for around half of total supply. New Import Tariffs and Quotas From 1 July 2026 , new government measures will tighten control over steel imports: Import quotas (the volume allowed in without penalties) will be reduced Any steel imported above these quotas will face a 50% tariff These changes are designed to limit the volume of low-cost steel entering the UK market and to support domestic producers. What This Means for Prices Because the UK cannot meet its own steel demand: Businesses will still need to import steel However, those imports will now be more expensive and more restricted At the same time: UK producers will face less competition from cheaper overseas steel This is likely to contribute to higher overall market prices In short, the cost pressures are coming from both sides—restricted supply and increased import costs. The Wider Context These policy changes are part of a broader strategy to: Protect the UK steel industry from underpriced global competition Maintain domestic steel production capacity Support jobs and long-term supply resilience While these are important long-term goals, the immediate effect is expected to be price increases across the supply chain . What This Means for Our Customers At S&A Fabrications, we are continuing to: Monitor market conditions closely Work with our supply chain to manage cost increases where possible Provide transparent updates so you can plan ahead with confidence Summary To recap: The UK does not produce enough steel to meet demand Imports are becoming more expensive due to new tariffs and tighter quotas This combination is expected to drive steel prices up from July 2026  We’ll continue to keep you informed as the situation develops and will share any further updates as they arise.
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