HUDDERSFIELD is a ‘glass’ act as far as manufacturing firm Novaglaze Ltd is concerned.

The company has been based in the town for more than 30 years and has employed and trained well over 200 local people in glass work during that time.

Among its prestigious contracts, the firm has manufactured and supplied curved glazing panels for the famous London Eye as well as curved glass for royal palaces and stately homes, airports, hotels and shopping centres.

Gary Smith, director of the company based at Queen’s Mill Road, said: “We are so proud of our roots and the town of Huddersfield that when we decided to renovate the showroom, we created a centre piece which is a collage of iconic Huddersfield images.

“Now when customers visit us from all sides of the globe, they see one large glass wall promoting Huddersfield at its very best!

“The other year we thanked the people of Huddersfield and our staff past and present and provided all the glass for the renovation of the Victorian conservatory in Greenhead Park.

“We have also just made a small donation to Huddersfield Youth Opera.

Landing the contract to provide replacement panes for capsules on the London Eye brought high-profile exposure for Novaglaze.

The London Eye, built on the south bank of the Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the millennium, is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and has become one of the capital’s most photographed attractions.

But the company hasn’t forgotten its local links.

Said Mr Smith: “We passionately believe in not just trading in Huddersfield, but actually playing an active part in promoting the town we live and work in and trying to do our bit to improve it and help it to continue to evolve as one England’s jewels.”

Mr Smith said: “We also work closely with Huddersfield University, taking on placement students. We are proud to say that most of them have returned to work for us. We also work with the tutors and students in the surface design department, on how to work and decorate glass.

“For more than a decade now, we have tried wherever possible to use local suppliers and championed this with the local manufacturers alliance, of which I am vice-chairman.

“We recently ran a Meet the Buyer event where we paired up major local companies with smaller manufactures to see how they could work together.

“Six local manufacturers have now started getting business from this event – keeping more money local and helping to secure local jobs.”