Made For Trade , which manufactures and supplies aluminium glazing systems across the UK , won a King ’ s Award for Innovation , thanks to its revolutionary Korniche Aluminium Lantern Roof product , a patented solution to bringing light into a single-story extension .

Bradley Gaunt , Managing Director , said : “ This award is the highest award you can get in business . I am absolutely delighted , not just for my family , but my team . We are truly honoured with this huge recognition for what we have done . We don ’ t have any plans to export right now , however if ever we wanted to cross the waters , this award will have huge benefits !”

Made for Trade , which was previously known as Aanco , was handed from Father Richard Gaunt , to son Bradley , at the age of 23 ; he was later joined by brother and fellow engineer , Ashley , and more recently sister Lois .

When Bradley took over , the company had just 11 employees and working from one base , now it has three manufacturing sites in the Northeast and a headquarters of over 190,000 square feet , a 25-strong fleet of delivery vehicles and an engineering and innovation department , headed up by Ashley .

Bradley said : “ Over forty years ago when we started , my father was manufacturing and installing Upvc windows on Teesside . We had a good name for ourselves , but the domestic market was getting tough and I wanted us to innovate and concentrate of B2B .

“ We began focussing more on the trade manufacturing side and making great quality products that were easy market leading , at a really good price . From there we designed the Korniche Aluminium Lantern Roof . Structurally its stronger , aesthetically it ’ s so much better , it ’ s solar controlled , but most importantly easier and faster to install .”

Meticulously engineered to be the strongest and stiffest on the market , the Korniche roof lantern supports industry leading maximum glass sizes without the need of additional rafters . With no cutting or silicone required within the roof structure , the Korniche is the go-to Lantern for trade installers .

Bradley was joined by his family and members of his 240- strong workforce , at their headquarters in Wynyard , to receive his King ’ s Award for Enterprise from the Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham .

Mrs Snowdon said : “ These awards are not easily attained ; they are highly prized and the hallmark of excellence across the world . The King ’ s Awards

are only given to companies who are particularly innovative in the marketplace .

“ Made for Trade is now one of the UK ’ s largest manufacturers of bi-folding doors and the sole fabricator of the multi-award-winning Korniche roof lantern product . I was truly impressed by how the company has grown and innovated and how it has disrupted the marketplace by designing a product which is not only more aesthetically pleasing , but quicker and easier to install .

“ Made for Trade is a truly innovative and exciting British company , with generations of experience and an excellent team .”

www . madefortrade . co

40 NOVEMBER 2024

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM