Tadweld Limited

Surging Minimum Wage Hikes Threaten the Future of Apprenticeships

Tadweld Limited — 08/12/2025

Recently, our Managing Director Chris Houston spoke publicly about an issue that affects not only our own business, but the entire future of skilled trades in the UK: the growing crisis facing apprenticeships.

At Tadweld, we’ve always believed that apprenticeships are far more than a recruitment pipeline or a way to bring new people into the business. They are part of the heritage of British industry, a system that has shaped welders, fabricators, engineers, builders, and craftspeople for generations. Apprenticeships built our trades, fuelled growth across manufacturing, and provided thousands of young people with a respected, well-paid route into work without the burden of student debt.

But today, that system is under unprecedented pressure.

Apprenticeships are in decline

You may have seen the headlines: apprenticeship places have fallen dramatically over the last decade. The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 certainly didn’t help, and for years, national policy seemed far more focused on pushing university degrees than vocational skills.

Yet, despite this, something positive was happening. Young people had started rediscovering apprenticeships. We finally saw attitudes shift; students, parents and career advisors were again viewing hands-on vocational education as a valuable and smart alternative to university.

The tide was turning.

And then, policy changed again, this time in the form of drastic rises to the National Minimum Wage.

A 66% wage increase in two years- with no support for SMEs

Everyone deserves fair pay for fair work. But apprenticeships are different. They are (by design) structured learning programmes. In our case, an apprentice welder spends one day a week at college which is fully paid, and the rest of the time learning their craft alongside a skilled fabricator. They’re not yet productive workers; they’re trainees.

In 2023, we paid our apprentices £6/hour. By 2024, this jumped to £7.50/hour. And in 2025, it climbed again to £10/hour. That’s a 66% increase in just two years.

Next year, the under-18 minimum wage rises again to £10.85.

For SMEs like ours, the very companies that train most new apprentices- these increases have added tens of thousands of pounds to wage bills. And that’s on top of other recent policies that have already pushed business costs to breaking point.

Alan Pickering, Managing Director at Scarborough based manufacturer Unison commented:

“We’ve run an apprenticeship program here at Unison for over 25 years and are very proud of the graduates from it who now hold significant roles in our business. This year will be the first year that we won’t make a position available. Unfortunately, the recent changes have made it too expensive to train apprentices, and yet these guys and girls are supposed to be the future of British manufacturing. For someone who is passionate about the industry, it’s incredibly frustrating”.

We’re being forced to reduce intake

We’ve always prided ourselves on our apprenticeship programme. Many of our most skilled fabricators, and even some of our leaders, started as apprentices with us.

But today, like many businesses across the UK, we’re facing a painful decision.

The maths simply doesn’t work anymore. Training an apprentice has become cripplingly expensive, and despite the Apprenticeship Levy funding their college education, the actual cost of employment falls entirely on the business. For the first time, companies that have run apprenticeship programmes for decades are being forced to pause their intake.

That should alarm everyone who cares about the future of British industry.

A national skills crisis is looming

The UK will need around 35,000 new welders over the next five years.

Yet in 2024, the entire country trained just 231 welding apprentices.

We are staring down the barrel of a national skills shortage that will impact infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, construction, and almost every sector that physically builds this country. And just as young people finally start showing interest in trades again, government policy is unintentionally closing the door on them.

We need policy that works with industry, not against it

Our Managing Director, Chris Houston attending Westminster on the 4th of December with the Madein Group to raise these concerns directly. Organisations like Enginuity and MakeUK are doing vital work to ensure the manufacturing sector’s voice is actually heard.

We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for sensible, balanced policy that recognises:

apprentices are trainees, not full-time skilled workers
SMEs cannot absorb 60–70% labour cost increases overnight
the UK desperately needs skilled trades to stay competitive
apprenticeship programmes are an investment in the country’s future

Something needs to change.

Our Managing Director, Chris Houston, pictured with other Made In Yorkshire members in London.

Chris Houston from Tadweld concludes “It seems such a shame that at the point we finally have the next generation more interested in vocational education, that central policy has made it so much harder for businesses to offer apprenticeship places.”

2026 business rates revaluation could ‘cripple’ UK manufacturing

Tadweld Limited — 19/01/2026

At Tadweld, we are warning that the 2026 business rates revaluation will “cripple” UK manufacturing and push many small firms to the brink.

Our Managing Director, Chris Houston, says the April 2026 revaluation will deliver another crushing blow to industrial businesses already under severe cost pressure, forcing many smaller firms to downsize or even close just months after it comes into force.

The 2026 Business Rates Revaluation in England and Wales takes effect on 1 April 2026, with new rateable values based on commercial rental values as of 1 April 2024. While the revaluation is intended to reflect changes in the market since the last revaluation in April 2021, we believe the timing and scale of the increases could not be worse for manufacturers already facing unprecedented cost pressures.

Under the new system, England will introduce five tiered multipliers, replacing the previous two-rate structure, while Wales will continue with its own framework. Although some reliefs may be available for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sectors, industrial and manufacturing premises are expected to be among the hardest hit. Businesses are being urged to check their new rateable values on GOV.UK and consider appeals before the 31 March 2026 deadline for challenging current valuations.

2026 business rates: “A staggering blow to industry”

Chris said the revaluation represents yet another policy decision that disproportionately harms manufacturers:

“Historically, business rates were revaluated every five years – in reality, closer to every 5.5 years since 1990. The government has now moved to a three-year cycle, meaning businesses were hit with increases in 2023 and are now facing further increases again in April 2026. This is relentless.”

Industry data suggests the average increase in rateable values is 19.3%, with retail at 9.3%, while industrial and warehousing businesses face average increases of between 21% and 28%.

“Manufacturing and warehousing are being hammered the hardest. These are exactly the sectors the UK relies on for productivity, exports and skilled jobs – yet they’re being treated as an easy target.”

A ‘triple-punch’ for employers

We believe the revaluation lands at a time when businesses are already reeling from a series of government-imposed cost increases:

Corporation tax rising from 19% to 25% in 2024
Major increases in Employer National Insurance contributions in 2025
A National Minimum Wage increase of 11.1% between April 2024 and April 2026

“Despite claims of being pro-business and pro-growth, this revaluation couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Chris added. “It’s a triple-punch to employers who are already struggling to balance the books.”

Small manufacturers at risk of closure

As an SME steel fabrication business operating across the UK, we employ 50 people from our local community. Chris warns that for many firms of a similar size, the impact could be existential:

“We employ 50 people locally, and at a point where businesses are feeling attacked on all sides by government policy, this is yet another cost increase that has to be found from somewhere. These increases mean less money to invest, less money for staff, and ultimately they hamper our ability to grow and create jobs.”

He added that smaller manufacturers, already operating on tight margins, may have no room left to absorb further increases:

“For many small manufacturers, this will be the tipping point. You can only absorb so much before investment stops, recruitment freezes, or sites simply close. Once manufacturing capacity is lost, it doesn’t come back easily.”

Business confidence at record lows

Chris also pointed to growing evidence that business confidence is collapsing under the weight of repeated policy shocks:

“Unfortunately, businesses have become the ‘sacrificial lamb’, expected to fill the black hole in public finances. The Institute of Directors is now reporting record-low business confidence – lower even than during the depths of the COVID pandemic. That should be ringing alarm bells in Westminster.”

A call for urgent government action

At Tadweld, we are calling on the government to rethink how business rates impact productive industries and to offer meaningful relief for manufacturers ahead of April 2026.

“If the government genuinely wants businesses to grow, invest and improve productivity, it urgently needs to start supporting them rather than continuously handcuffing them. Without change, this revaluation risks doing long-term damage to UK manufacturing that will be felt for years to come.”

Navigating Growth and Innovation in manufacturing: Tadweld’s Journey

Tadweld Limited — 11/04/2024

As the manufacturing landscape in the UK undergoes a period of resurgence, industry leaders are seizing the moment to discuss the state of affairs, opportunities, and challenges shaping the sector. In a candid conversation with Tadweld Limited's recently appointed Managing Director, Chris Houston, Made in the Yorkshire explores insights into the company's journey, recent innovations, and Chris' perspective on the broader context of UK manufacturing.

(Chris Houston Managing Director at Tadweld)

Made in Yorkshire is a membership-based organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting manufacturing companies across Yorkshire in the UK. The aim of the company is to connect manufacturers, share best practices, and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration within the local manufacturing community.

The conversation began with Made in the Yorkshire representative, Yasmin Banner, asking Chris from Tadweld his thoughts on the current state of manufacturing in terms of successes and challenges in the UK. Chris expressed optimism about the state of manufacturing, citing the country’s rich legacy in the industry - especially in the Midlands and Yorkshire. While acknowledging the challenges, such as the need to catch up with European counterparts in terms of innovation, he remains positive about the opportunities for growth, particularly for organisations open to innovation and digitization.

With UK manufacturing experiencing growth for the first time in 20 months, Yasmin asks Chris if a shortened supply chain is important to Tadweld. Chris said: “Despite the growing trend of reshoring supply chains closer to home, Tadweld’s focus has always been on sourcing locally. As a project engineering business with bespoke manufacturing requirements, we have always relied on UK suppliers.”

The company's recent accolade in digital innovation underscores their commitment to embracing new technologies. Investments in laser welding equipment and plans for ERP system upgrades reflect their dedication to enhancing operational efficiency and scalability. This is highlighted in the latest award they received from Insider Media for Digital Innovation for their investment in a new CRM system and digital planning toolkit. Additionally, Tadweld is also investing in new CNC press and other machinery in 2024 signifying a continuous pursuit of product innovation and competitiveness.

(One of three Tadweld's three manufacturing facilities)

While Tadweld Limited hasn't extensively explored green manufacturing practices, they recognize the importance and plan to address it in the future. Given the inherently recyclable nature of metal, they aim to focus on waste management, energy efficiency, and exploring certifications like ISO 45001.

Key challenges such as space availability and talent acquisition are on the company's radar. Expansion plans, including acquiring a larger facility, demonstrate their proactive approach to address space constraints. Moreover, investments in employee engagement, training, and skill development initiatives contribute to attracting and retaining talent. Apprenticeships also play a key role in the companies future workforce planning.

Digital tools play a pivotal role in Tadweld Limited's growth strategy. From transparent production scheduling tools to investments in advanced machinery like laser welding equipment, the company leverages technology to streamline operations, improve productivity, and drive innovation.

Chris’ journey from multinational corporations to leading a smaller enterprise in his hometown reflects a blend of professional ambition and personal fulfilment. Inspired by diverse experiences, he brings a fresh perspective to the manufacturing sector, emphasising the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.

As UK manufacturing experiences a resurgence, companies like Tadweld Limited stand at the forefront of innovation and growth. By leveraging technology, embracing sustainability, and prioritising talent development, they exemplify the spirit of resilience and adaptability driving the industry forward.

Tadweld Limited is a leading project engineering business based in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, UK. With a commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, they specialise in bespoke manufacturing solutions for diverse industries. Their recent focus on digital innovation and investments in cutting-edge technology exemplify their dedication to driving growth and excellence in the manufacturing sector.

To find out more about Tadweld, please visit their microsite: https://tadweld.madeinyorkshire.com/

Not a member of Made in Yorkshire? Find out more https://madeinyorkshire.com/contact

MIY Expo Exhibitor Spotlight: Tadweld – Fabrication with Precision, Purpose, and Pride

Tadweld Limited — 20/08/2025

With over four decades of industry experience, we at Tadweld have built a reputation for delivering tailored, high-quality fabrication solutions for clients who value getting the job done right – first time, on time, and on budget. Whether it’s precision welding, bespoke fabrication or full turnkey assemblies, we thrive on complex challenges and long-term partnerships.

Based in Tadcaster, we’ll be exhibiting at the Made in Yorkshire Expo on Thursday, 16th October 2025 at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield.

As part of Made in Yorkshire’s Exhibitor Spotlight series, a member of the team from MIY recently caught up with our Managing Director, Chris Houston, to ask a few quick questions about what drives us, what we’ve achieved recently, and what exciting things we’ve got coming up next.

1. In one sentence – what do we do best?

With over 40 years of industry experience, we deliver tailored, innovative fabrication solutions for clients who value getting the job done right - on time, on budget, and with precision the first time.

2. What’s the driving mission or purpose behind Tadweld right now?

Our goal is to be the go-to fabrication partner for every client we work with. We’re focused on delivering exceptional quality, reliable turnaround times, and a level of customer service that sets us apart. Internally, we’re just as committed to being a great place to work – fostering a culture that values teamwork, innovation, and long-term relationships.

We want to lead the industry not only in what we deliver, but how we deliver it – with care, consistency, and integrity.

3. What’s been the biggest milestone over the past 12 months?

It’s been a transformational year for Tadweld.

We’ve achieved a 40% increase in revenue and grown our team by 30%, recently welcoming our 50th hire. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident – it’s come from a combination of smart investment, strong leadership, and a culture that puts both clients and employees first.

4. Any exciting developments on the horizon?

There may well be… We have already invested in a new 17,000 sqft facility - 12,000 sqft of that is workshop space and 5,000 sq ft of that is office space. So, a larger premises and new offices are coming soon!

Chris reflected on our attitude towards growth and investing for the future in a recent press release:

“Investment and growth go hand in hand, and at Tadweld we’re focused on investing in our people, processes, equipment and facilities. Whilst there are undoubtedly challenges ahead, we believe that we are well placed to capitalise on the opportunities across the UK food & drink, water, construction and fabrication markets.”

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, and even more excited about what’s coming next. Stay tuned for the updates!

5. Tell us something surprising or little-known about us

Long before we were supplying high-spec fabrications to major UK industries, we were helping keep tractors moving and quarry machinery running. Our roots lie in the agricultural and quarry sectors, where our reputation for reliable repair work laid the foundation for the diverse fabrication company we’ve become today.

Come and meet us at the Made in Yorkshire Expo 2025

We’ll be on stand MIY144 at this year’s Made in Yorkshire Expo, taking place on Thursday 16th October 2025 at the Accu Stadium, Huddersfield. If you’re attending, come and say hello – we’d love to tell you more about our journey, our capabilities, and how we might support yours.

If you’ve not signed up yet, now’s the time – you can register here.

See you there!

MIY Member Spotlight: Tadweld’s Journey of Growth, Team Spirit and Transformation

Tadweld Limited — 28/04/2025

Last week, our very own Sam Sleight caught up with Chris Houston, Managing Director at Tadweld, to reflect on what has been an exciting period of growth and transformation for the business since Chris took over back in 2022.

Made in Yorkshire member Tadweld has gone from strength to strength over the past year in particular, growing turnover by an impressive 35% and expanding its workforce significantly – now employing over 50 staff. This growth has been supported by over £450,000 of investment into new capital equipment, including armada presses, a new guillotine, laser welding technologies, and new vehicles. Further to this, the company has invested over £1 million into new premises to support its expansion plans – a key development that will allow the Tadcaster-based structural steel specialists to take on more projects.

A real commitment to people development is clear to see at Tadweld too. Whilst on site, Chris told Sam that over the past 12 months alone, the business has delivered more than 2,500 hours of training, driven employee engagement levels up to a fantastic 81% (well above the national manufacturing average of 59%), and introduced a company health plan and holiday purchase scheme to further support employee wellbeing. It’s no surprise that Tadweld’s culture and team spirit shine through in everything they do.

Further investment in technology has also been a focus, with Tadweld acquiring 3D laser scanning technology to enhance its site surveying and project delivery capabilities. The business is continuing to diversify its offering too, working on major projects across a range of sectors – including exciting ongoing work for major global blue-chip brands.

Looking ahead, Tadweld is set to unlock even more potential as it further expands its footprint in Taddy. In addition to the sprucing up that has already taken place in the existing workshop space, Tadweld has plans to move into a couple of neighbouring buildings. This expansion will offer increased space for operations, a better working environment for staff, and the opportunity to host customers more comfortably – a positive step in their long-term journey.

Reflecting on Tadweld’s first year as a member of Made in Yorkshire, Chris told Sam:

"Being part of Made in Yorkshire over the past year has been valuable for us — not just in terms of making new connections, but in having a community to learn from and share ideas with. It’s good to be part of something where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed.”

It’s safe to say that the future looks bright for Tadweld. With ambitious leadership, a clear investment strategy, and a people-first approach, they are a fantastic example of how an SME manufacturer can thrive in 2025, despite the well-documented challenges our industry is experiencing.

Investing in Growth: How the Help to Grow Management Course is Shaping Leadership at Tadweld

Tadweld Limited — 10/11/2025

At Tadweld, we’ve always believed that great businesses are built on strong leadership, a culture of continuous improvement, and a willingness to learn. That’s why our Managing Director, Chris Houston, recently took part in the Help to Grow: Management Course at Leeds University Business School, a programme designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights to drive sustainable growth.

The course offers a blend of practical learning, one-to-one mentoring, and peer networking, helping business leaders reflect on their organisation’s challenges and opportunities while building new management capabilities. For Chris, it provided the perfect opportunity to step back from the day to day and look at Tadweld’s business through a fresh lens.

“I’m grateful to the Help to Grow Management Course and Leeds University Business School for this opportunity to showcase our journey at Tadweld,” says Chris. “Continuous investment in my own skills and knowledge can only serve to make me a better and more rounded leader for the business.”

Building a Culture of Growth

Culture has always been a big part of who we are at Tadweld. The course reinforced for Chris just how vital it is, not only in shaping how teams work together, but in driving the long-term success of the business.

Chris emphasises that culture change starts with leadership. For him, this means modelling the behaviours and attitudes that encourage collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

“The course reinforced that real growth isn’t just about systems or strategies, it’s about people,” Chris explains. “As leaders, we have to create the right conditions for our teams to thrive. That means leading by example, being open to new ideas, and recruiting not just for skills, but for mindset.”

The Value of Continuous Learning

At Tadweld, growth means more than business performance, it’s about developing people at every level. Chris’s involvement in the Help to Grow programme reflects our belief that investing in learning leads to stronger teams and better results for clients.

The course introduced new approaches to strategy, finance, and innovation, it also offered the chance to connect with other business leaders, share experiences, and gain valuable new perspectives.

“It was invaluable to be part of a peer group of leaders who all face different challenges,” Chris says. “We shared ideas openly and supported each other’s growth”.

Looking Ahead

The insights gained through the Help to Grow Management Course are already influencing how Tadweld approaches its people and long term goals. The business continues to invest in skills, innovation, and leadership development, ensuring that growth remains both sustainable and meaningful.

At its heart, Tadweld’s mission has always been about more than steel fabrication; it’s about engineering solutions, building relationships, and creating opportunities for people to thrive. Programmes like Help to Grow support that mission by empowering leaders like Chris to keep learning, adapting, and leading with purpose.

“The more I invest in developing myself, the better equipped I am to invest in my team, and that’s what drives real, lasting growth.” – Chris Houston.

At Tadweld, we’re proud to champion a culture that values learning, leadership, and collaboration.

Tadweld MD joins mission to Back Britain

Tadweld Limited — 19/06/2024

Backing Britain is back. Made in Group is urging the UK government to debate and act upon: addressing concerns related to safeguarding manufacturing capacity, addressing concerns related to ownership of British businesses and appointing a Minister for manufacturing.

Ahead of the UK general election, set to take place across Britain on 4th July 2024, The Backing Britain campaign seeks to enhance supply chain competence within government, ultimately driving national prosperity and security through a robust industrial sector. UK Industry leaders are taking action now by signing the pledge, including Chris Houston Managing Director of Tadweld who believes “government lacks focus on a sector that is a fundamental part of the economy.”

With a new government taking centre stage in the coming weeks, Made in Group, Including Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire, is taking action. The Backing Britain pledge encourages manufacturers to sign an open letter that will be sent to every MP. On 5th December 2024 during Made’s annual Westminster the manifesto by manufacturers and the signed pledges will be presented to the government. To make a lasting impact, the organisation is encouraging every UK industry leader and professional to sign the pledge. With 100K signatures, the manifesto will be discussed in parliament and closer to taking real action on the matter.

Chris, who joined Tadweld as Managing Director in 2022 has a long established career in the engineering and manufacturing sector. Over the years working at multinational corporations to leading a smaller enterprise in his home country, Chris has gained invaluable insights into the challenges facing the sector across continents. “If you look at the most prominent economies in the world, particularly those that have grown heavily in the last two decades, they all have strong manufacturing foundations.” Chris said.

In the Congressional Research Service report published in June 2019, it discusses ‘China’s economic rise’ and how its manufacturing foundations are heavily supported by the government. “The Chinese government has made innovation a top priority in its economic planning through a number of high-profile initiatives, such as “Made in China 2025,” a plan announced in 2015 to upgrade and modernise China’s manufacturing”, as reported in the document.

“When people need things, they need the manufacturing sector to make them, and the UK has some great people and technologies” Chris continued. Many manufacturing leaders, including Chris, believe that whilst the UK manufacturing sector is strong it lacks appropriate government support and representation - despite the fact it makes up 23% of the UK’s overall GDP. “Manufacturing forms the foundation of the economy for everything that sits outside of London. I think that is what has been lost - focus on industrial communities across the UK that don't have a KPMG in every city.”

Industry leaders signing the Made in Group pledge to Back Britain agree that there is a need for a dedicated minister for manufacturing in government. Whilst this person should be someone that understands the sector and its challenges, they should also understand that “Manufacturing doesn't just provide jobs and profit, but also contributes to communities and sectors that allow them to be successful. Backing Britain is about supporting manufacturing SME’s to be successful. To be successful in their local communities and equipping them with the skills, investing in the education pipeline of talent, giving them support when it comes to expanding facilities and supplying tax breaks or incentives for investment." Chris concluded.

Made in Group is a trade organisation that helps elevate manufacturing businesses' online presence whilst giving them a platform to connect and share ideas. Dedicated to uniting British industry, the UK collective relies on its members to help them amplify their voice for manufacturing and showcase the critical role of industry leaders in shaping the nation's future.

Sign the pledge now. Backing Britain pledge.

Join us in Westminster on 5th December to present the Backing Britain manifesto to the government. Register now.

North Yorkshire firm Tadweld is on track for record year

Tadweld Limited — 23/02/2026

At Tadweld, we’re proud to be building on the momentum of a highly successful 2025 as we move confidently into what is set to be our strongest year to date.

As a North Yorkshire-based steelwork manufacturing and coded welding specialist, and now in our 48th year of trading, we are targeting a further 15% growth in 2026. This would see our annual revenue exceed £6 million for the first time in our history, a significant milestone for the business.

Investing in Strong Foundations

Following sustained investment in our ERP systems, manufacturing capacity and facilities at our Tadcaster headquarters, our focus in 2026 is firmly on accelerating growth through new market opportunities, deeper sector expertise and continued recruitment.

Managing Director Chris Houston commented:

“2026 is an exciting year for the business following a busy and successful 2025. After a period of investment in ERP systems and adding manufacturing capacity, it’s exciting to be back investing in the team.

It’s a tough environment for UK manufacturing at the moment, but it is credit to our fantastic team that customers continue to choose us as their steelwork solutions partner.”

Expanding into New Markets

As part of our strategic growth plans, we are actively expanding into new markets and product areas. This includes opportunities within the water sector, as well as adjacent specialist applications such as AJAX road tanker access systems.

We are also experiencing increased demand from the food and drink sector, where we continue to support major manufacturers with precision steelwork, fabrication and bespoke access solutions.

Our long-term strategy remains focused on delivering high-quality, reliable steelwork solutions while broadening our presence in sectors such as food manufacturing and water treatment.

Growing the Tadweld Team

People remain at the heart of our growth plans. Having welcomed our 50th team member last year, we are now recruiting for several key roles, including:

Business Development Manager
Business Development Executive
Production Manager

These appointments form part of wider plans to create up to 10 new roles during 2026 across sales, design, operations and manufacturing.

Chris added:

“We’ve made deliberate investments over the last couple of years to put the right foundations in place, from systems and space to skills and leadership. That means we’re now in a position to grow confidently, enter new markets and strengthen our presence, while continuing to deliver the quality and reliability our customers expect.”

Industry Recognition

We are also delighted to have been shortlisted for Manufacturer of the Year (under £10m) at the Made In Yorkshire Awards 2026. The recognition reflects the transformation of the business in recent years, as we continue to invest in our people, technology and manufacturing capacity while navigating a challenging landscape for UK manufacturing.

With a clear strategic direction, a growing team and strong market demand, we are confidently positioned to deliver our most successful year to date in 2026.