Driffield – Reds10 Group invest in ESL Fabrication Engineers

Reds10 Group completed a strategic investment in ESL Fabrication Engineers, one of East Yorkshire’s fastest-growing engineering firms, to complement Reds10’s advanced construction facility in Driffield.

Reds10 is part of a family of businesses which industrialises design, production and construction of the built environment.

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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.”

The partnership will see ESL become part of the newly formed Reds10 Group.

This collaboration will bring steel fabrication in-house and support Reds10’s next phase of company expansion.

ESL, based in Kingston upon Hull, was founded in 2010 by father and son Paul and Gareth Thompson.

Specialising in steel fabrication across the UK, ESL handles everything from manufacturing and installation to repair and maintenance.

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.”

The company has grown steadily, reaching a turnover of £7 million in 2026 and employing nearly 50 people.

Reds10 and ESL have collaborated for the past five years on projects focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable buildings for the public sector.

Their work has emphasised sectors including defence, education, justice, and health.

Reds10 reported revenue of £144.7 million for 2024/25, with an operating margin of 4.8 per cent.

The company aims to grow revenue to £500 million and expand into healthcare, affordable housing, and temporary accommodation.

The company operates five factories covering 300,000 sq ft, where it produces sustainable and innovative buildings designed for transport and on-site assembly.

By integrating steel fabrication through this new investment in ESL, the company aims to further streamline its vertically integrated construction approach and strengthen its position in the off-site manufacturing sector.