Group chairman Peter Johnson said: “We’re seeing strong uptake from our customers who want the speed, reassurance and reliability of pre-prepared cladding.

“The days of cutting panels and fixing the brackets on-site are drawing to a close.”

Johnson said continuing market strength would boost 2020’s figures.

“Clearly the Covid-19lockdown has had an effect, but as it recedes, its impact is starting to look more like a pause than a wobble.”

Reporting a 7% uplift in pre-tax profit in 2019 from revenue up 2.5%  to £34m, Johnson said: “I pay tribute to Vivalda’s remarkable staff who came out of the blocks after lockdown and set us on course for what could well be another record year in 2020”.

“It is especially pleasing to see the important indicators heading in the right direction – profit calculated under EBITDA is £3.49m, or 11% of sales.”

“The future of UK cladding will belong to companies who invest consistently – in a skilled workforce, plant and machinery as well as customer service.”

Audited accounts confirm Vivalda invested £1.8m in fixed assets during 2019/20, with total net assets now standing at £13m.

Johnson said: “Customer demand for our non-combustible range is now very strong.

“And activity supported by the government’s £1.6bn remediation programme – to replace dangerous cladding on high-rise buildings – will support demand for safe, non-flammable cladding products well into 2021.”

Highlighting the recent acquisition of fabricator and powder-coating specialist MSP (Scotland), Johnson said: “This highly respected, long-established company with its loyal workforce, gives us access to the growing market for solid A1 fire-rated aluminium panels.

“MSP is already making a positive contribution to group success.”