Staff at Polypipe's Aylesford facility hosted a special visit from the Minister of State for Business and Energy, Michael Fallon, yesterday.

The MP for Sevenoaks toured the 14-acre site, owned by British company Polypipe, the UK's largest plastic piping systems manufacturer.

Organised by the Construction Products Association, the visit was aimed at offering Mr Fallon an insight into British manufacturing and its commitment to innovation and quality standards.

The visit, hosted by Polypipe Group’s CEO David Hall and Commercial Director Adam Turk, began in the 14-acre site’s Centre of Excellence training facility where innovative products were demonstrated and the company’s unique Hydraulic Tower was explored.

Mr Hall then led a factory tour where he explained how the business’ technical support function, combined with a £100 million investment in equipment across its nine manufacturing sites in recent years, had played a key factor in the company’s resilience and organic growth.

The resulting success includes contracts to supply plastic piping systems to many of the UK’s most prestigious construction projects, including London 2012.

Mr Fallon said: “Industry figures show the UK construction products sector has an annual turnover of £40 billion, and employs 300,000 people in more than 20,000 companies. It provides materials to build everything from factories and offices to schools and hospitals - essential for both the economy and society at large.

"Polypipe are already exporting to Africa and the Middle East and I want to help more companies emulate their success in rapidly growing markets. As a local MP it gives me immense pride to see such an outward looking company based here in Kent."

Polypipe CEO David Hall added: “Polypipe has a long and proud tradition of British innovation and manufacturing and we are very grateful to Mr Fallon for the time and interest he has shown in our business."