Announcing a 29% rise in pre-tax profit to £2.2m in the first six months of the year, chief executive Mark Smith said consumption of constructional steel was forecast to remain consistent into 2020.

Its main structural steel business Billington Structures started the year with a shift in focus to a smaller number of more significant projects.

Several of these contracts outperformed against initial tender allowances, resulting in improved profits.

Smith said: “The group is beginning to realise the benefits of the increased in-house capacity.

“2017 is shaping up to be a very productive year, supported by the hard work of all divisions across the group, and Billington expects an equally optimistic second half of the year.”

Projects carried out during 2017included IKEA’s Sheffield store, an office project at Lombard Street in London and Project Beagle in Birmingham.

After successfully completing buildings 3, 5 & 6 of Wellington Place in Leeds, Billington has also just secured another two projects on the development.

A strong performance also from Peter Marshall Steel Stairs, Tubecon and the Easi-Edge perimeter protection supplier helped to lift group revenue 27% to £34m.

Smith said the firm’s growth strategy was on track with its new Shafton Facility, located five miles from the Bransley HQ, due to become fully operational in January.

The Shafton facility offers the opportunity to bring previously subcontracted work back in-house, and also provides increased capacity for Billington Structures.