ESL Fabrication Engineers works out of a factory in Marfleet
ESL’s Hull operation.(Image: Google Streetview)
A steelwork firm that employs just under 50 people in Hull has been partially acquired by major offsite and modular construction business Reds10 Group. ESL Fabrication Engineers was founded by father and son, Paul and Gareth Thompson in 2010, and specialises in steel fabrication work, including walkways, spiral staircases and fire escapes.
The business operates from a purpose built factory on Burma Drive, where it has created structures that have been exported as far afield as New York and Papa New Guinea. ESL is said to have grown steadily since its launch 16 years ago, and now Reds10 – which manufactures its buildings at Driffield – has made a strategic investment in the firm.
ESL will become part of the recently established Reds10 Group, alongside Reds10 and its eight sister companies. The two companies are said to have a well-established relationship, having worked together for the last five years on delivery of buildings for the public sector.
Paul Ruddick, chief executive of Reds10 Group, said: “Having worked with ESL for several years, we’ve seen first‑hand the consistent quality of their service and their ambition for excellence and growth, values that closely align with our own. Bringing steel fabrication into the Reds10 Group adds a critical piece of the jigsaw as we launch our next phase of strategic growth to exploit advancing technologies, while integrating AI at every level of the business.”
Gareth Thompson, co-founder and managing director of ESL said: “We’ve come a long way since ESL’s inception in 2010 and our partnership with Reds10 feels like a natural next step that will bring clear benefits to both businesses. This marks an exciting next phase in our evolution, and we look forward to building on the strong working relationship we’ve developed with Reds10 in recent years and maximising the opportunities ahead.”
Reds10 and ESL’s work has focussed on the defence, education, justice and health sectors. The new partnership follows strong financial results from Reds10 which saw revenue of £144.7m and operating profit of £6.8m.
The group, which also has operations in the South East, is hoping to grow revenue to £500m with more work in the healthcare, affordable housing and temporary accommodation markets.
Its five Driffield factories cover 300,000 sqft. The buildings it makes there are then transported and assembled on site at projects across the UK.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.