AJN Steelstock retains top 10 listing of best performing businesses

Despite the significant challenges faced by the UK construction industry and the wider economy over the past 12 months, leading UK steel stockholder, AJN Steelstock Limited, has retained its top 10 position in a list of Suffolk’s 100 largest, privately owned companies.

Now in its 24^th year, the Suffolk Limited Report, celebrates the sustained growth, resilience and adaptability of the region’s most successful businesses. Compiled by accountants, Grant Thornton and law firm, Birketts, the report charts the financial performance and key trends among the county’s top 100 companies.

This year’s report, however, which includes a sector breakdown for the manufacturing and industrial and real estate and construction industries, reflects the impact of a particularly challenging economic environment with inflation remaining stubbornly high and the prospect of further tax rises casting a shadow over businesses and their owners.

For only the second time in the report’s history, both revenue and profitability among the top 100 companies declined in real terms. Combined turnover fell by 2% to £6.09 billion and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) declined by 10.5%, reflecting the ongoing cost pressures faced by businesses.

Recognised as one of the county’s top performing, privately owned businesses, AJN Steelstock, which has steel processing centres in Newmarket, Suffolk and Henstridge, Somerset, has been ranked sixth in the 2025 listing.

Courtney Bell, AJN Steelstock’s Finance Director, comments, “Our top 10 listing in the latest Suffolk Limited report is, in the current climate, a strong validation of our operational efficiency and highlights our ability to maintain a strong balance sheet while outperforming our competitors in a volatile market.

“Weak demand, global oversupply, price deflation and high costs have all had a significant impact on the UK construction and steel stockholding industry over the past 12 months. However, we have an amazing team at AJN, everyone plays their part and their willingness to adapt to the changes imposed on us and the ever present ‘can do’ attitude, makes AJN the success that it is.”

Servicing the construction, agricultural, engineering, food processing, automotive and architectural industries, AJN Steelstock plays a crucial role in the UK steel construction supply chain and is widely regarded within the industry for its unrivalled reputation for service and reliability.