A COLNE Valley firm is proving to be a smash in its chosen field.

Specialist Glass Products, based at Milnsbridge, supplies commercial customers across the country.

The business was launched in 2003 by three directors, brothers Andrew and Jonathan Taylor and colleague Steven Mayman.

All three had worked for the country’s largest glass manufacturer, Pilkington’s, before deciding during 2002 to go it alone and set up their own business.

The company, based at Colne Vale Road, supplies bespoke glass products for a variety of applications.

One of its specialist processes is curving glass in laminated, annealed, toughened and double-glazed form. The glass is used for architectural glazing, curtain-walling, shopfitting, furniture, partitioning and structural glazing. It is also supplied for shower screens, stairways and canopies.

Projects include ones to supply curved double glazed units for Glasgow's Central Exchange Building – to create a comfortable office environment. Grey-tinted toughened units were used on the outside for their energy absorption properties to help keep the inside of the building cooler.

A total of 350 curved units were used to complete the circular tower – all of which were manufactured by Specialist Glass Products within the deadline of just one month.

From a standing start, the company now employs 21 staff and occupies three adjacent business units as the result of increased production.

There are plans to upgrade machinery as the company targets turnover of £3m for the current financial year.