Why awnings “Made in Britain” are more important now than ever

Here at The Awning Company, we’ve always been careful to ensure that our commercial awnings are made right here in the UK – and we’ve got the badge to prove it! While it’s something that’s always been important to our clients, and to us, we feel it’s become even more crucial in the last few years, and it’s certainly going to remain a key priority for our team. So, when you buy a commercial awning from us, whatever sector you work in, you’ll always be able to have complete peace of mind that it’s Made in Britain.

Here are a few reasons why that’s so important!

Assurance of quality with British craftsmanship

We’re very passionate about delivering an exceptional level of quality to every customer with each awning we make, and that’s easiest when we’re using components from UK suppliers, and assembling them with our own team at our premises in Bolton. In fact, British craftsmanship is renowned across the globe for setting (and meeting) particularly high standards, and we’re committed to meeting them with knowledge and components that we can easily trace back to their source.

By the same token, components imported from other countries are often made to differing sets of standards, some of which may not meet the expectations of our customers. All Awning Company awnings are designed to meet stringent quality control measures, which ensure that each one meets high-performance standards before it leaves our workshop.

Like all British manufacturers in this space, we’re governed by key standards. Two of the most important ones include:

• BS EN 13561, the European standard for external blinds and awnings, which defines strict performance requirements, including wind resistance and durability.
• BS 6375-2, which covers the weather performance of external doors and windows, ensuring that awnings meet the necessary resistance to wind and rain.

All this means that whatever your intended environment or application, you can always expect an awning built to last and perform reliably in real-world conditions.

Supply chain security, with lower costs and delays

Global supply chains have faced increasing disruption in recent years, from shipping delays to material shortages. Now, recent geopolitical developments (such as new tariffs) look likely to place even more pressure on global supply chains, underlining the importance of domestic production and investment.

Choosing British-made products ensures a more secure and reliable supply chain – by making our awnings in the UK, we can provide you with shorter lead times, reducing the risk of project delays. You can also expect a responsive aftercare service, including quicker repairs, maintenance, and replacements when needed. And of course, it eliminates unexpected costs associated with fluctuating exchange rates and import tariffs.

A more sustainable choice

Another key element of making our awnings in the UK means that we can eliminate the transport and logistics costs associated with importing components from overseas – imported awnings often travel thousands of miles before reaching their destination. All that means it can be an excellent choice if you’re looking to reduce your environment footprint. What’s more, as we’ve touched upon earlier, the sheer durability and exceptional quality of British-made awnings means they need replacing less frequently, which can help to reduce waste and resource consumption.

Peace of mind about safety

So, we’ve already talked about quality as a whole in British awnings, but it’s worth taking a moment to focus on the safety element in particular. Safety is a critical consideration when it comes to commercial awnings, particularly in public-facing environments. British-made awnings are subject to strict UK and EU regulations, ensuring they meet high standards for fire resistance, wind resistance, and overall structural integrity.

One of the key standards we mentioned earlier, BS EN 13561, dictates the safety and performance requirements of awnings. Meanwhile, BS 5867 outlines fire safety regulations for fabrics used in commercial applications. Awnings that comply with these standards provide assurance that they have been tested for durability and safety, reducing the risk of structural failure or fire hazards.

To be honest, it’s not always easy to tell if imported awnings meet the same rigorous safety standards, which would raise the possibility of risks to customers, or attendees at events – and that’s just not a risk we’re willing to take here at the Awning Company.

There are, of course, many more reasons besides – but these are some of the most universal reasons! So, if you’re looking to get your own commercial awnings, you’re in exactly the right place. Motorsports and equine and mobile tech are just a couple of our key sectors here at the Awning Company, and we have a long history of delivering flawless solutions for our customers across the North West. Feel free to take a look at our bespoke GH Awnings to see what we can do for you – and if you have any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01204 544 900, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!