A method of providing through-thickness reinforcement of a laminated material which includes a matrix material including a step of creating a locally heated zone in the laminated material so as to locally soften the matrix material by focussing a set of at least two energy beams at a location where through-thickness reinforcement is required and a step of inserting a reinforcement element through the thickness of the laminated material at the location of the locally heated zone to through-thickness reinforce the laminated material.