A SHIPLEY-based construction industry manufacturer has recorded a 50 per cent increase in trade thanks to take-up of an innovative product.

Armadillo, a structural thermal breaks company, has posted the rise during the 2016/17 financial year, following an 80 per cent increase in demand for its solutions for the construction market that reduce energy loss through cold bridging – an area in a building where a gap occurs in the insulation.

The product, called Armatherm, uses material that is a high-density, closed-cell polymer.

The material is water-resistant, allowing it to be used in a number of sites, including foundation to wall transitions, cladding fixings, column base and roof penetrations.

Its structural thermal break pads provide thermal insulation between interior and exterior steelwork and/or concrete to prevent thermal bridging. Cutting out thermal bridging stops conduction heat loss and prevents surface condensation from forming inside the building.

It is seen as a breakthrough product by the construction industry and has been used in building products by firms including supermarket giant Aldi.

Armadillo worked to insulate the supermarket’s distribution centre’s 1,000 square metre cold store room in Cardiff, used to stock thousands of frozen and chilled products before distribution to UK Aldi stores.

The firm has also seen a double month-on-month increase in sales for the first three months of this year, alongside a record-breaking May 2017 for the company’s product range.

Jonathan Shaw, Armadillo managing director, said: “With proposed legislation changes potentially coming into play next year that will make it unlawful to let or lease a commercial property with an EPC rating of F or G, the issue of thermal performance is a real concern for the construction industry.

“Armatherm can rectify poorly isolated connections on existing buildings and ensure structures currently under construction are future-proof.”

Mr Shaw added: “We’re really pleased with the increased demand for Armatherm over the last year, which we estimate will continue as the construction sector begins to meet these new challenges.”

The firm has provided thermal breaking solutions for projects across the world including Whitney Art Museum in New York City, Vegas Arena and the V&A Museum in Dundee.

Armadillo also has an office in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

Armadillo’s products aim to control the shock and vibration caused on buildings. Its experience ranges from low-frequency isolation for microscopes and semi-conductor manufacture, up to heavyweight industrial power presses and forge hammers.

Its products include sprung isolated dancefloor pads, used in sports floors, gymnasiums and dance studios. The floors are supported on resilient pads to give the correct balance for shock absorbing, coupled with sufficient rebound to give the floor a live feel.