The director of a South Wales-based structural steelwork company has told Insider how it has adapted to thrive across a variety of industry sectors.

Speaking to Wales Business Insider, Richard Selby, director of Pro Steel Engineering, which is just 11 years old, told how growth is on the near horizon.

Selby said: “I think next year will be an exceptionally busy year. We’re starting to recruit for it now.”

The company, which was set up by Selby – a former head of projects at engineering group Mabey Bridge – and Justin Marriott in 2012, has a knack for winning high-profile work. 

It made the eye-catching 22-tonne red dragon that looms over drivers on the M4 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales in Newport. Tthe Pontypool company has also worked on the Olympic and Twickenham stadiums in London, and is creating a zip wire and sky walk attraction on top of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Recently, Pro Steel landed work on a virtual control facility at Heathrow Airport, which will step in if the main control tower fails. This might need more than 100 tonnes of steel.

Renewable energy could provide another set of opportunities, according to Selby.

He added: “All eyes are on decarbonisation, and how we can play our part within that.”

To read the full interview, check out the November 2023 edition of the Wales Business Insider magazine which is out now.