Hub le Bas is re-establishing itself as Britain’s leading precision steel tube supplier, as it enters a new phase of expansion and capital investment, building on major client gains over recent months.

The company, whose roots go back over a century, has already regained more than 75% of its client base since being acquired in December 2015 by global steel and engineering business, Liberty House Group. It is expected to complete this rapid recovery over the coming months.

At present the company is welcoming almost 50 new clients per month and has increased its workforce numbers from 88 to 99.

Buoyed by the strength of the comeback under new management, Hub le Bas, which supplies industries as diverse as automotive, defence, construction and medical, is now planning to add two new sites to its existing five-strong UK network and to invest nearly £2m in advanced laser cutting equipment to further boost quality and productivity.

Rob Sweetnam, Managing Director of Hub Le Bas, said: “We are experiencing a rapid growth in the demand for precision cut tube components and are taking the necessary steps to respond to customer needs. The use of fully-programmed laser cutting equipment provides clients with improvements in accuracy and quality while also reducing downstream assembly costs.”

The new laser cutting machines will be located in London, Manchester and Leicester branches, supplementing existing capacity at the firm’s Bilston site in the Midlands.

Hub Le Bas has an extensive portfolio of 8,000 product lines and maintains high stock levels to meet demand from clients of all sizes. Highly-trained staff are equipped to deliver in-depth product and technical knowledge as well as high levels of customer service.

Chief Executive of Liberty Industries Group, Douglas Dawson said: “Steel distribution is an important part of Liberty’s business strategy. It aims to deliver best in class solutions through our fully integrated business model – covering the entire supply chain from liquid steel all the way though to advanced engineering products. Hub Le Bas is an important part of this strategy, and we are committed to further growing and expanding the business for the benefit of both our customers and employees.”