BRADFORD windows and doors company Safestyle UK has revealed it made a £16 million loss in 2018, after what it called a “challenging” year.

The Eldon Place-based firm made a £16.3 million loss before tax last year, after revenue also fell by more than £40 million.

In its final results statement, the company said there was “significant business disruption” in 2018, caused by a legal batter with “an aggressive new market entrant”, Safeglaze UK.

After a settlement was reached in September, ordering Safeglaze to change its name, Safestyle has said it has made a “a substantial recovery… resulting in a significantly improved sales order intake in the final two months of the year”.

Total orders also dropped by more than 30 per cent, however this was offset slightly by a six per cent rise in sales prices.

Mike Gallacher, chief executive of Safestyle, said: “The business faced a unique and challenging operating context in 2018, but I am pleased to say through the dedication and hard work of our people, we ended the year with our business stabilised and trading position materially improved.

“With many of the issues faced in 2018 behind us, our experienced management team is wholly focused on driving growth, improving margins and building on the underlying strengths of the business.

“We are the UK market leader, with a strong brand, industry leading production facilities and skilled people across the organisation.

“While there is still much work to do, we look forward to the opportunities of the year ahead and returning Safestyle to profitability.”

Safestyle said 2019 is a “key year for turnaround” in the business, and its Board are confident it will return to profitability, with a three-phase plan in place to change round the company’s fortunes.