Leicester-based metalwork firm
ADS Laser Cutting is looking ahead with renewed optimism after reporting strong growth in both sales and profitability during the first half of 2026. The performance positions the business well for further growth and development during the second half of the year.
During the six-month period to the end of June 2026, sales increased by 15% compared with the same period last year, whilst profitability was up by 17%. This performance places the firm on a strong footing to exceed its full-year turnover target of £11.6 million.
The business attributes its performance to strong customer relationships, operational improvements and continued investment in its people, equipment and service capabilities.
Commenting, Duncan Keates, joint managing director of ADS Laser Cutting, said: “Despite continued economic volatility and uncertainty, we’ve delivered a very positive first half of the year.
“Several factors have combined to place us in this position of strength, from strategic material purchasing and accurate, competitive estimating through to proactive sales activity and the skills and commitment of our shop floor team.
“Most importantly, we’ve continued to focus on the strong, long-term customer relationships that have always been fundamental to ADS. We continue to enjoy a strong flow of work from existing customers, while also securing new opportunities that enable us to expand our capabilities and enter new markets.”
As part of its continued growth strategy, ADS Laser Cutting strengthened its industry credentials by achieving BS EN 1090 Execution Class 3, commonly known as EXC3. The certification enables the business to compete for larger and more technically demanding structural steel projects where safety and structural performance are critical, creating opportunities across commercial construction, infrastructure, transport, energy, heavy engineering and public sector developments.
To build on its first-half performance, ADS Laser Cutting has also continued to strengthen its leadership and operational teams, including the appointment of Steve Tyler as operations director.
In this newly created strategic role, Steve has assumed responsibility for safety, quality, cost, delivery and operational staff. Working alongside the existing leadership team, he will focus on strengthening operational performance, developing the team and ensuring the business has the processes and capacity needed to support its next stage of growth.
Steve’s appointment forms part of wider investment in operational capability across the business. Recent additions include a new pre-production manager and a material and stores manager – another newly created role focused on strengthening material management and improving stock availability for customers. An additional internal sales role has also been created to support sales account management and further improve communication with customers.
Mr Keates added: “Our growth plans require us to continue investing not only in technology and equipment, but also in the people and leadership structure needed to take the business forward.
“Steve’s appointment represents a significant step for ADS as we enter our next phase of development. His experience and leadership will help us build on our recent performance while ensuring we continue to make progress across core operations.
“Together, these new roles bring additional expertise in areas fundamental to both our growth and the customer experience. They will help strengthen our operations and provide the foundations for the next stage of our development.”
Further investment during the second half of the year includes the phased implementation of a new ERP system, designed to support greater integration and efficiency across ADS Laser Cutting’s operations.
Concluding, Mr Keates said: “Our first-half performance gives us a strong platform on which to build, but we’re certainly not complacent. We know that manufacturing continues to face significant pressures and that customers rightly expect quality, reliability, responsiveness and value.
“Our focus for the remainder of 2026 will be on building on the progress we’ve made, embedding our recent investments and continuing to develop the people, processes and capabilities that will support sustainable, long-term growth.”
Pic: Duncan Keates, Steve Tyler and Stephen Keates from ADS Laser Cutting