The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The directors are pleased to report that the company maintained a steady level of turnover throughout 2025 whilst achieving a consistent gross profit margin, supported by continuing demand and ongoing orders across its diversified customer base. The breadth of sectors served by the company has helped to provide resilience against fluctuations in any one particular market.
The directors intend to continue with the company’s current business strategy throughout 2026, with a focus on maintaining existing customer relationships, securing further orders across its core sectors, and continuing to deliver a reliable and high-quality service.
The company benefits from a stable and experienced workforce and remains committed to the health, safety and welfare of its employees. We continue to invest in new technology to streamline our processes and improve efficiency. Our commitment to quality and reliability remains central to everything we do.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The board considers risk management an important aspect in developing the business, allowing management to make informed decisions and be adequately prepared for uncertainties and eventualities that may come in the way of progress and growth. The principal risks and uncertainties of the group are identified are as follows:
Economic risk
The board continually monitors economic risk whereby negative economic market conditions may affect the group's operations. This is extremely prevalent in the current economy which in recent times has seen Brexit, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, resulting in high inflation and a rise in raw materials, energy prices and production costs.
The impact of economic conditions are carefully managed through close engagement with our supply chain to safeguard the business from input price inflation.
Compliance risk
The board recognises the potentially hazardous industry in which the group operates whereby accidents could result in reputational damage and financial loss. We are therefore committed to the ongoing process of meeting the highest health and safety standards through continually investing in PPE, providing initial and ongoing training to all workers, and promoting a safety culture that creates a safe and efficient working environment for all.
Operational risk
Our ethos is to produce steel work that exceeds all of our clients expectations and are proud to have a long standing reputation within the industry. Failure to continually meet these high standards could result in reputational damage, financial loss and loss of future custom.
In our commitment to quality assurance, we hold a number of accreditation as follows:
Certificate of Factory Production Control (FPC) BS EN 1090-1: 2009 + A1: 2011
Welding Certificate BS EN 1090-2: 2018
Welding Quality Management System to BS EN ISO 3834-3
Weld procedures to BS EN 288-3
Welders qualified to BS EN ISO 9606-1
Steel Construction Scheme Certificate to BS EN ISO 9001:2015
Financial risk
The group's operations expose it to a variety of financial risks that include the effects of credit risk and interest rate fluctuations on company debt.
Bad debt on sales invoices raised detrimentally effects the cash flow and ultimate profitability of the group. This is mitigated through knowing our customers, continually determining their credit worthiness and setting appropriate credit limits. The impact of bad debt is further mitigated through our extensive order book with a low level of customer concentration.
Fluctuating interest rates can potentially give the group uncertainty over the amount of debt servicing cash payments. We have reduced our exposure to the rise in short-term interest rates through borrowing at a fixed rate of interest on the majority of group debt.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £376,471. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The group's principal financial instruments compromise of cash, trade debtors, trade creditors and bank borrowing. Key financial risk management objectives and policies arising from these financial instruments have been included on the strategic report.
The auditors, Schofields, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
United Kingdom company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and parent company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We are constantly looking to refine processing, automate and introduce time saving technology. Through this continual investment in our infrastructure, machinery and staff, it has enabled the group to continue its exponential growth whilst maintaining deliverance of projects to the highest standard.
We have audited the financial statements of Yardgate Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 October 2025 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
An understanding of the legal and regulatory framework the group operates in was obtained through discussions with directors and other management in addition to our general industry and sector experience. The most significant laws and regulations identified, being those that have a direct effect on material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, are FRS 102, Companies Act 2006 and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Tax Legislation.
We also considered other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the group's ability to operate, or to avoid material penalty. These included the requirements of the various Health and Safety Regulations.
Audit procedures were performed to obtain sufficient evidence regarding compliance. These procedures include making enquiries to directors and other management in addition to the inspection of applicable regulatory and legal correspondence. Financial statement disclosures were reviewed and tested to supporting documentation.
Enquiries were also made to the directors and other management to assess the group's internal control environment and their policies and procedures on fraud risk. The group's systems and controls were documented, and audit procedures were designed to test these controls. Further, the risk of management override of controls was addressed through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness. The judgements made in making accounting estimates were assessed for any indication of potential bias, and the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of the business was evaluated.
We have properly planned and performed the audit in accordance with auditing standards and all members of the engagement team have the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. However, the inherent nature of the audit, and the limited procedures performed, means there is an unavoidable risk that some irregularities may have gone undetected. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the parent company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the parent company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent company and the parent company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £616,070 (2024 - £656,414 profit).
Yardgate Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 1, St Stephens Court, 15-17 St Stephens Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6LA.
The group consists of Yardgate Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Yardgate Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 October 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and transactions, including income, expenses and dividends are eliminated in full. The non-controlling interest is measured and resented separately from the interest of the owners of the parent company.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Entities in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group and parent company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Turnover is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable,excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes,
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.
Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
The group operates a defined contributions pension scheme. Contributions payable to the group's pension scheme are charges to profit or loss in the period to which they relate to.
Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter.
The interest element of these obligations is charged to the profit or loss over the relevant period. The capital element of the future payments is treated as a liability.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
Depreciation is provided at differing rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. At each reporting date, management review several factors, such as changes in market prices, to ensure the depreciation of an asset is allocated over its estimated useful life.
Rental income for the year totalled £9,100 (2024 - £13,046), the remaining turnover is attributable to the principal activity of the group.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 1 (2024 - 1)
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The net book value of tangible fixed assets included £1,460,354 (2004 - £1,724,028) in respect of assets held under hire purchase contracts.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 October 2025 are as follows:
Bank loans amounting to £45,583 at 31 October 2025 are unsecured at a fixed rate of 5%, maturing in January 2026.
Bank loans amounting to £869,443 at 31 October 2025 (2024 - £909,849) are secured and repayable at an interest rate of 2.76% over Bank of England base rate, maturing in August 2048. The loan is secured by way of fixed and floating charges over all property and assets of the company.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company:
Deferred tax represents capital allowances in advance of depreciation.
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
Each A and B share is entitled to one vote in any circumstances. Dividends may be voted on each share class independently.
Each A and B share is entitled to participate in a distribution arising from winding up the company.
The subsidiary company, Toomers Limited, have provided a cross guarantee in respect of bank loans held in the parent company. As at 31 October 2025 the outstanding balance was £869,443 (2024 - £909,849).
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
Key management are those persons who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the company, directly or indirectly, including the directors.
The company has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.
Transactions between group entities which have been eliminated on consolidation are not disclosed within the financial statements.
During the year the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
Dividends totalling £176,471 (2024 - £181,985) were paid in the year in respect of shares held by the company's directors.
Loans to directors are unsecured and repayable on demand. Interest has been charged at the appropriate HMRC rate.