Ecobuild: Arden flies the flag for British manufacturing

Having tested the water last year, Arden went on to invest £1m in production facilities, including a new Homag PP2 window line largely to provide the extra capacity needed for the new window.

"I think this is going to be huge for us," said group finance director David Bickley.

The new window features 24mm Slimseal double-glazed units, hidden block and tackle, and is 20% cheaper than traditional sashes.

Arden also used Ecobuild to launch its energy-efficient Front Doorset which boasts a U-value of 1W/m²K.

Mr Bickley was upbeat about business, pointing to the company's growth over the past two years and the current improvement in the market. He was also positive about exhibiting at Ecobuild.

At last year's show "we didn't stop for three days", he said, and an "influx of quotations" followed, including contracts for two schools.

"It's about getting your name out to leading architects," he said. This year Arden proudly featured the Union Jack on its stand displays to illustrate that its entire range of windows and doors is manufactured in Coventry.

"A lot of architects like to specify British," said Mr Bickley.