The CEO of specialist infrastructure equipment hire and lease firm, Kelling Group, is forecasting double-digit growth this year after unveiling another bumper set of results.<\/p>\n
Proving that specialisation, top-tier clients, and sector focus are crucial in Britain\u2019s infrastructure industry, the Normanton-based company saw turnover in the year to September 2025 rise from \u00a361m to \u00a364.9m. EBITDA climbed 8.5% to \u00a335.6m, reflecting operational investments made and sustained demand across its core markets.<\/p>\n
Stephen Moore, Kelling\u2019s CEO, is confident momentum will continue into 2026 and 2027. It is a statement that underscores the health of the core business – not just stable but expanding at a pace that many in the industrial and construction ecosystem would envy.<\/p>\n
Moore says its Kelling\u2019s model that sets it apart. While generalist competitors ride the highs and lows of the building cycle, Kelling focuses on sectors that are steadily growing with long term funding – telecoms, power, utilities, rail and highways.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t do cyclical construction work,\u201d Moore explains. \u201cWe are embedded in long-term national infrastructure programmes. Our specialist assets are working through multi-year projects – maintaining fibre networks, electricity grids, motorways, rail, even nuclear.\u201d<\/p>\n
That focus gives the group exposure to resilient, long-term pipelines rather than short-term construction booms. Its strategy is clear: specialise and continually invest in a focussed number of critical areas offer unmatched service and become best in class<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the biggest in van mounted access hire by a factor of six compared to our next generalist hire competitor,\u201d Moore says. \u201cOur welfare division is a leader in eco-efficient, specialist welfare units. We specialise, provide the best assets and service, and partner with our long-term clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kelling\u2019s specialisation has naturally led to national-scale contracts. The UK government\u2019s 10-year infrastructure strategy, with around \u00a3725bn earmarked for water, energy, and related sectors, provides a fertile backdrop. Kelling supplies the tier 1 contractors who deliver, giving it leveraged exposure without the contractual complexity.<\/p>\n
Kelling\u2019s main customers are large UK telecom operators and major tier-one infrastructure contractors, rather than smaller builders or general construction firms.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as we concentrate on the right sectors and customers and provide the best equipment and service through ongoing investment, we\u2019ll continue to grow,\u201d Moore says.<\/p>\n
Over the past 15 years, Kelling has weathered multiple crises while sustaining double-digit growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe grew low double-digit in the last recession, double-digit during Covid, double-digit during Brexit, and even through the Liz Truss mini-budget challenges,\u201d Moore recalls. \u201cWe invest, provide best in class assets and service, and focus on long term, well-funded sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n
An efficient operating model -given all assets are mobile, national coverage from just five depots across the UK – and a relatively people-light structure help shield the business from macro pressures. Recent investments in its depot network and gradual headcount increases, now just shy of 300 staff, position the company for the next phase of growth.<\/p>\n
Kelling\u2019s investors share its long-term vision. Infrastructure private equity firm Astatine, which has backed the group since 2018, operates with an infrastructure-style time horizon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re very supportive partners\u2026 they\u2019re backing the growth journey,\u201d Moore says. Supported by a \u201cvery good, supportive syndicate\u201d of lenders, HSBC, NatWest and Virgin, Kelling looks past the current economic noise, confident that 2026\u201327 and beyond will continue its strong growth trajectory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll trade through current macro challenges, as we have done in the past,\u201d Moore concludes. \u201cIt\u2019s just making sure that we continue to invest, look after our customers and manage the macro risks\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Normanton-based company saw turnover in the year to September 2025 rise from \u00a361m to \u00a364.9m. EBITDA climbed 8.5% to \u00a335.6m, reflecting operational efficiency and sustained demand across its core markets<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":271992,"featured_media":2152800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53262,128805],"coauthors":[137100],"class_list":["post-2152796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","category-infrastructure","tag-featured-story","tag-yorkshire"],"yoast_head":"\n