Investment in Sheffield firm unlocks jobs growth

Rapidly growing Architectural Fabrications Ltd said the funds will enable the business to meet growing demand from customers - and whilst the company has doubled in size over the last few years, so have the number of orders being received.

The company designs, manufactures and installs metalwork products for construction companies and main contractors throughout the UK with products including walkways, balustrades, access ramps, staircases, balconies and decorative façades - especially those where the work is complex or there are difficult installation challenges.

Architectural Fabrications Ltd has had to take on more space and recruit more staff to cope with the growth, and the new investment – which comes from the UK Steel Enterprise Equity Growth Fund – is giving them the firepower to bid for bigger contracts and put them on track for further growth in 2017.

Employing 44, the business has already started recruiting some of the 14 additional new jobs that the company is planning to create in South Yorkshire over the next three years.

Chris Hadfield, managing director of Architectural Fabrications, said the funding will help the firm to unlock major growth opportunities.

He added: “The investment from UK Steel Enterprise has been vital in allowing us to make a strong move forward.

“Our expansion project means that we can be more competitive, create jobs and ultimately scale-up the contracts that we go after.”

Keith Williams, Regional Manager for UK Steel Enterprise, which invests in growing companies, said: “Architectural Fabrications has plenty of opportunities to grow and create jobs, but it reached a point where it needed to expand its capacity and financial strength to make that happen.

“Our investment will help the company through this pivotal growth phase, providing the working capital to enable them to take on new customers and bigger contracts.”

A subsidiary of Tata Steel, UK Steel Enterprise provides equity and loan finance to growing companies, as well as business premises at its business & innovation centres. For more information about how the organisation could help your business visit www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk