Pictured above: Erewash MP Jessica Lee with (l-r), Dales Fabrications' chief executive Frank Dales, company secretary Karl Prosser, production manager Peter Bennett, and estimator Michael Howard at a machine which punches out pre-programmed shapes in a sheet of metal ahead of final production

An Ilkeston manufacturer whose products boost the appearance of buildings played host to Erewash MP Jessica Lee who wanted to learn more about local industry.

Miss Lee paid a fact-finding visit to Dales Fabrications on Crompton Road Industrial Estate which has been marking its 30th anniversary as a private limited company.

Dales Fabrications makes bespoke aluminium products to enhance the appearance of buildings such as hospitals, schools, office buildings, apartment blocks, and fire and police stations across the country.

Chartered engineer Frank Dales founded the company in 1977 to meet the need for precision, purpose-made steel gutters for building projects, and saw the scope to expand into aluminium eaves systems.

Dales Fabrications became a private limited company three years later. Mr Dales retired in 2000, but in 2008 he returned as chief executive.

Since then he has made a number of changes, particularly with advances in manufacturing techniques. These have improved the product range which now includes rainwater systems (gutters and pipes), fascias and soffits, and solar shading, a growing component in modern buildings.

Recent buildings where the company has supplied products to include Littlewick Medical Centre, Ilkeston; Kingsway Hospital, Derby; Chellaston Junior School, Derby; Scargill Primary School, West Hallam; Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire; and Netherfield Primary School, Netherfield, Nottingham.

It also supplied products to the Irene Kennedy Centre at Wirrall Ark, Merseyside, which won a Green Apple Environmental Best Practice Award for its architects, Denovo Design of Liverpool, who picked up their trophy at the House of Commons yesterday (Mon, Nov 15).

The company prides itself on its green credentials, recycling redundant aluminium.

It has 31 employees, including a new apprentice, and takes local school children on work experience and to demonstrate engineering as a profession. It supports the local community by sponsoring shirts for Long Eaton Riverside Rapids under 10s football team.

Dales Fabrication is an associate of regeneration agency Erewash Partnership and Miss Lee's visit stemmed from a recent event when company secretary Karl Prosser asked her about initiatives to back the construction industry.

"We invited the new MP to come along and see how a small Ilkeston firm is contributing to the local manufacturing economy," he said.

"Ilkeston has a long tradition of manufacturing metal products and we are delighted to be continuing this in these difficult times."

Miss Lee said she had a brilliant afternoon looking around the company, when she learned a lot about the technical side of how it works.

"I have been really impressed by the family business with members of staff who have been working for the company for more than 30 years," she said.

"I feel very passionate about supporting the local manufacturing industry.

"Dales is an ideal example of a successful small business in Ilkeston."