Pictured from left to right: Stuart Rowan, Duncan Keates, Angie Keates, Liz Kendall MP and Zeke KeatesLeicester-based metalworking specialist
ADS Laser Cutting recently marked its 20th anniversary with a visit from Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West. The celebration took place at the company’s headquarters on the Braunstone Frith Industrial Estate, housed in the iconic former Fox’s Glacier Mints factory.
Ms Kendall was welcomed by Duncan and Angie Keates, alongside Duncan’s brother Stephen and his wife Samantha, who co-founded the business two decades ago. During a tour of the firm’s 87,000ft
2 facility, Duncan Keates showcased some of the company’s latest investments in advanced manufacturing technology, including a robotic welding arm and a ‘state of the art’ laser welder.
Speaking after the visit, Liz Kendall MP, said: “It was a joy to spend time at ADS Laser Cutting celebrating its 20th anniversary and learning more about its work. Duncan, Stephen and their families have dedicated the last two decades to ADS and I am delighted to have been able to join them in celebrating this milestone. It is important for politicians like me to hear from local businesses about the challenges they face, so today was a perfect opportunity to hear from the team about some of the issues facing companies in the manufacturing sector. I am proud to have ADS Laser Cutting in my constituency, and I wish it the best of luck for the next 20 years.”
Duncan Keates said: “Stephen and I, along with our wives, are immensely proud of what we have achieved at ADS Laser over the past 20 years. Having the chance to showcase this to our local MP was a fantastic opportunity to share our successes while also having a platform from which we could discuss the challenges that SME manufacturing businesses like us currently face.”