A BUSINESS which specialises in loft storage solutions is predicting a 20 per cent increase in turnover following the launch of its newest product.

Nelson-based Loft Leg has just launched the Loft Leg XL, specially designed for new homes, following support from Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

Set up by Matthew Driver and Gareth Storey in 2012, Loft Leg’s first product the Loft Leg was an overnight success and is stocked in major stores including Wickes and Homebase.

It was created to help tackle loft storage problems by allowing floors to be raised above loft installation, thus eliminating loft installation compression by items being placed on it.

The Loft Leg was targeted primarily at existing homeowners but since then the company has launched other products including the Loft Light, Loft Lid and Loft Ledge.

The Loft Leg XL has been developed with new build homes in mind where insulation depths are much greater than the current government recommended levels.

Matthew and Gareth were supported by UCLan’s Innovation Clinic and Boost’s Growth Mentoring Programme for the product.

The support from UCLan involved helping to identify where the product components required structural enhancement and optimising Loft Leg’s brand impact, ensuring that the total business offer worked at a higher level.

And, through Growth Mentoring, Loft Leg was supported with its product development strategy, sales targets, storage alternatives and building customer relationships.

They were guided by mentor David Baker, who has a strong background in plastics manufacturing.

Matthew said: “We attended the UCLan Innovation Clinic open day at the time when we were thinking about launching a different sized Loft Leg. We found it very useful so approached the team there for support. They were able to help us with verification, we had the design and we had some prototypes but before the launch we had to be sure of the strength and safety of it.

“UCLan worked hard to identify exactly what they could help me with and were very hands on, it wasn’t just advice, it was the physical work. We had access to graphic designers and product designers, which were a huge help."

Iain Martin, project manager at the UCLan Innovation Clinic, said: “Working with Loft Leg on both product development and branding has been a great project to be involved with. The strategic support we have delivered will enable the business and brand to grow and dominate their specialist area in the market and we wish them every success.”