WITH winter approaching, Worcestershire's flood defence specialist is preparing for a flood of orders.

UK Flood Barriers, which is based on Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, near Droitwich, is opening a brand new facility to manufacture its industry leading Flood Defender doors. The company has taken on new 4000 sq ft premises to satisfy demand for more than 80 doors a week and has employed a further 10 door engineers to construct the highly specialist product.

Chief executive Frank Kelly said: "Expanding into new premises was crucial for the ongoing development of our Flood Defender door. We’re proud to now design, manufacture and install our industry leading product in house and provide new jobs for skilled engineers in Worcestershire. The recent installation of our new escape hatch doors to properties in Runnymede was a perfect example of how, working in close consultation with our client, our skilled team can develop bespoke solutions that ensure peace of mind & protection should the worst happen ”

Since its launch last year, the Flood Defender door has taken the industry by storm with more than 500 fitted nationwide. Whilst at first glance the product looks like a standard PVC door, it is in reality a highly engineered product with specialist flood seals, gaskets and locking mechanisms. The door’s appeal is that in the event of a flood, the homeowner simply has to lock it to minimise the risk of water ingress. New design options are consistently being developed including the latest version incorporating an "escape hatch" to allow homeowners to exit their property, when there are no other options.