Alex McLeod, chief executive of Superglass Insulation, recently welcomed Labour MPs Iain Wright and Gordon Banks to the company's plant in Stirling.

Andrew Warren, director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE), also accompanied the group on the visit.

Iain Wright MP, Shadow Minister for Competitiveness & Enterprise at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and Gordon Banks, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire and Shadow Scotland Office Minister, showed their support for the capital investment programme which Superglass is progressing to transform the company's production capabilities.

Mr McLeod said: "We were pleased that Iain Wright and Gordon Banks were able to come to Stirling to see firsthand what we have achieved so far, and the processes we are putting in place to deliver higher specification products and value to the marketplace in the face of adverse economic and trading challenges.

"We are committed to the UK and Scottish government's obligation to transform the UK's ageing housing stock into energy-efficient homes and the country's transition to a greener economy in order to meet our overall legislated carbon emission reduction targets.

"We appreciate both Iain and Gordon's support in backing an independent manufacturer as a key part of the building trade in the UK."

Following his visit to Superglass, Mr Wright said: "It's very important that we retain this sort of manufacturing industry in the UK. At a time of dramatically rising energy bills and acute difficulties in the construction sector, the insulation market is vital towards providing warmer homes as well as providing a boost to the beleaguered supply chain for the building trade. The substantial investment programme undertaken by management will hopefully help them to improve competitiveness and efficiency, win additional orders overseas and retain staff."

Mr Banks said: "Having already visited Superglass in September last year, I was able to see improvement in the facility which is proof that the investment programme is working. It is vital for the area that Superglass receives all the support it can to make the transformation it is undertaking as it is an important employer. Within the construction sector, it is vital that independent and Scottish manufacturers are able to develop their businesses to allow real competition in the marketplace. Construction businesses in Scotland have been hit hard in this current economic downturn and the skills, experience and commitment of the management and workforce at Superglass deserves success."

Andrew Warren of ACE was, 25 years ago, a director of the company that went on to own the plant. He commented: "This entire site has changed out of recognition. Everyone we met seemed committed to ensuring that it emerges phoenix-like from what has obviously been a very transformational period. I can honestly say that there has been a complete renaissance, both in atmosphere and ethos, which I found very impressive."