A Suffolk company has become the UK’s first flat roof skylight manufacturer to be awarded the BSI Kitemark.

Sunsquare, which is based in Bury St Edmunds, offers around 165 different skylight combinations, including flat and pyramid designs, and L-shaped skylights ideal for rear extensions on period properties.

The entire Sunsquare product range was put under rigorous testing for air permeability, weather tightness and extreme wind loading at the BSI (British Standards Institute) laboratories, with the process having taken two years.

Sunsquare, which was formed in 2004, has now been awarded the BSI Kitemark, one of the world’s most recognised symbols of quality craftsmanship, meaning that its manufacturing methods have now effectively set a new industry standard.

Justin Seldis, co-owner of Sunsquare, said: “It’s a really exciting time for us as a company.

“The Kitemark enables us to trade with confidence all over the world and take our products to even higher levels, signalling a fantastic expansion opportunity for us.

“The Kitemark recognises safety is paramount and sends out an important signal to potential clients about our manufacturing methods.”

Sunsquare employs 45 people at its headquarters, off Kempson Way in Bury, where it has made £1million-worth of investment this year in plant and staffing.

The company already claims to offer some of the industry’s shortest lead times, with made-to-measure products from its standard range usually supplied within three to five weeks. It is also able to supply bespoke solutions where products from the standard range are not suitable

It is now embarking on a five- year expansion plan designed to grow its exports into northern Europe and develop its new range of easily transportable skylights.