A Welsh steel engineering company has won a £1.1 million international contract to aid Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, providing a significant boost to the UK's export manufacturing sector.
Pontypool-based Pro Steel Engineering has been awarded a deal by construction giant ONUR Group to build a 200-tonne steel girder for a bridge near Kiev that was destroyed during the war with Russia. Production will take place in South Wales, with the girders being transported to Ukraine for installation in the new year.
The contract follows a 2.5-year competitive tender process and is the company's first major project supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF). It is expected to create two new jobs and strengthen the firm's reputation for meeting complex international engineering standards, including stringent Ukrainian welding requirements.
Pro Steel Engineering Managing Director Richard Selby (pictured above with Carmel Gahan of the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme) said the project has emotional and strategic importance: “Winning this contract is a source of immense pride for our entire team. Knowing that our work will contribute to the rebuilding of critical infrastructure in Ukraine and help communities reconnect is profound for all of us. Makes sense.”
He praised the support given by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Program (AGP), which has helped the business expand since its inception in 2012. The company currently employs 35 staff and generates annual revenues of approximately £17 million.
AGP operations manager Lucy Jones said the deal demonstrated the competitiveness of Welsh engineering on the world stage.
“Pro Steel’s success highlights the strength and innovation of Welsh manufacturing. Their ability to meet demanding international standards and secure this contract through UK Export Finance demonstrates the potential of our businesses in Wales.”
The project symbolizes the UK's wider commitment to support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts, as British companies increasingly engage in post-conflict reconstruction work across transport, infrastructure and energy networks.
For Pro Steel, the contract signals a new phase of international growth, leveraging specialist skills in heavy structural steelwork for bridges, stadiums and industrial projects.
The bridge project, once completed, will help restore vital transport links to Ukrainian communities and serve as a high-profile case study for Welsh and UK manufacturing expertise in rebuilding global infrastructure.
With work starting immediately and delivery planned for early 2026, the deal underlines how regional UK engineering companies are contributing to both humanitarian recovery and industrial competitiveness overseas.
