What Areco does

Areco is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of flat roofing accessories and complementary building products, headquartered in Aldridge, Walsall, with operations dating to the mid-1960s. The company was founded by former roofing contractors Ralph Stride and Charlie Jones and has been owned since 1994 by the family-run Watts Clift Holdings Ltd. Areco manufactures its own-brand Glasstrim GRP trim (launched in the early 1990s and still its best-selling line) and Nutrim aluminium trims, and runs an in-house bespoke aluminium fabrication capability for custom copings, gutters, wall flashings and secret-fix capping. Its core product surface spans flat roofing accessories, A1 fire-rated pedestals and decking systems (including EXADECK porcelain and Fire Deck fibre cement decking), rooflights and domes, polycarbonate roofing, guard rails and safety matting, roofing tools and equipment (via the 2020-established Elevate Products trading division), underground building products, and interior finishing and rainwater products.

Areco distributes through three principal channels: a fully stocked physical trade counter in Aldridge for walk-in trade, an own e-commerce website (areco.co.uk) with UK delivery, and telephone/email-led project sales for quote-based items. Pricing is predominantly unit-based and quote-based on a pay-as-you-go basis. The customer base is diversified across roofing contractors and trade professionals, DIY homeowners, public sector construction (schools, hospitals, public buildings), commercial developers, and architects/specifiers/membrane manufacturers, with products frequently specified into projects. Geographic scope is the United Kingdom, with an explicitly stated future vision of expanding into Ireland. Headcount is in the 11-50 range. The business is privately held with no external funding rounds or public listing, and is operated as a single corporate entity under Areco Limited (company number 6057526), with Elevate Products as a wholly-owned trading division.

Name

Areco

Legal name

Areco Limited

Website

https://areco.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Areco is a UK manufacturer and distributor of flat roofing accessories and complementary building products, serving roofing contractors, public sector projects, commercial developers, and DIY customers via its own e-commerce site, an Aldridge trade counter, and the Elevate Products tools division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aldridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Building & Roofing Product Sales: Areco generates revenue through the sale of flat roofing accessories, A1 fire-rated pedestals and decking systems, rooflights and domes, guard rails, polycarbonate roofing, bespoke metal fabrications, roofing tools, and underground building products. Products are sold as one-time purchases via e-commerce and trade counter.
2. Elevate Products Tools & Equipment: Areco operates Elevate Products as a trading division (established 2020) selling professional roofing tools and equipment including slating/tiling tools, gas torches, bitumen melting equipment, workwear and safety gear, and general hand tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Areco is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of flat roofing accessories and building materials, producing own-brand GRP and aluminium roof edge trims (Glasstrim and Nutrim), and supplying A1 fire-rated decking systems (EXADECK porcelain and Fire Deck fibre cement), polycarbonate roofing sheets, rooflights, guard rails, bespoke aluminium fabrications, and roofing tools under its Elevate Products division. The company operates a UK e-commerce storefront, a fully stocked trade counter in Aldridge, and a telephone sales operation serving trade contractors and construction professionals.

Product overview

Areco is a UK-based building materials distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of roofing and construction products. The core offering centers on A1 Fire Rated Decking Systems, including EXADECK porcelain tiling and Fire Deck® fibre cement decking, both achieving the highest non-combustible fire rating. Supporting this are flat roofing accessories (Glasstrim GRP and Nutrim aluminium trims), rooflights and domes, polycarbonate roofing systems with glazing bars, guard rails and walkway matting, and bespoke metal fabrications. Additional categories span roofing tools, underground building products, interior finishing, rainwater drainage, composite decking, and carports. Products are distributed through a trade counter and online store, with full in-house design and manufacture capability for bespoke aluminium fabrications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elevate Products: A trading division of Areco Ltd established in 2020, specializing in tools and equipment for professional roofing contractors, including slating, tiling, leadworking tools, propane gas torches, bitumen melting equipment, workwear, safety gear, and general hand tools.

Products and services

• EXADECK Porcelain Decking A1FL-S1 fire-rated extruded porcelain decking tile boards with screw-free installation, R11 anti-slip rating, UV and abrasion resistance, and a raised floating floor system that allows tile removal for service access. Sold to contractors, architects and specifiers for residential, commercial and public sector projects.
• Fire Deck Fibre Cement Decking A1fl-s1 non-combustible fibre cement decking with a 3D authentic woodgrain finish that is coloured throughout the core, scratch- and slip-resistant, with a 30-year limited warranty. Supplied to contractors for residential and high-traffic commercial decking projects.
• Glasstrim GRP Roof Edge Trim Areco's flagship own-brand GRP roof edge trim introduced in the early 1990s as a quicker, neater alternative to traditional welted drips. Widely specified by architects, specifiers and membrane manufacturers on public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals.
• Nutrim Aluminium Roof Edge Trim Areco's own-brand aluminium roof edge trim, frequently polyester powder coated to deliver stylish architectural finishes on prestigious housing and commercial developments. A core Areco product since the company's founding in the mid-1960s.
• Flat Roofing Accessories Range Complete category of flat roofing materials supplied by Areco, including breather vents, termination bars, flat roof drains, and self-levelling and fixed head paving pedestals for use by roofing contractors and builders.
• Rooflights and Roof Domes Range of polycarbonate roof domes in single, double, triple and quadruple skin configurations, flat glass rooflights with manual or electric ventilation and automatic rain sensors, and Solatube sun tunnels with Spectralight Infinity tubing. Supplied for flat and pitched roof applications.
• Guard Rails and Safety Matting ECORAIL guard rail systems for roof edge protection in Free-Standing, Folding, Top-Fix and Parapet styles, plus PVC/TPO walkway matting and rubber tiles for safe access on flat roofs.
• Polycarbonate Roofing Systems Multiwall polycarbonate sheets (including Palram Sunlite), rafter-supported and self-supporting glazing bars and profiles, and EZ Glaze systems for roofing and glazing applications. Distributed for both DIY and trade customers.
• Bespoke Metal Fabrications Custom aluminium fabrications including copings, box gutters, wall flashings, cill and angle sections manufactured in-house to customer specifications, with powder coat or RAL colour matching and a secret-fix aluminium capping system using hidden brackets.
• Elevate Products Roofing Tools and Equipment Trading division established in 2020 to sell professional roofing tools and equipment, including slating, tiling and leadworking tools, propane gas torches, bitumen melting equipment, workwear, safety gear and general hand tools under Sievert, Calloni, Stanley, Duro, Irwin, Spear & Jackson, Stihl and Carter Steel branded ranges.
• Evolution Carport Polycarbonate carport with powder coated aluminium frame and triple-walled 16mm polycarbonate glazing for weather protection of vehicles, sold to homeowners and trade customers.
• Composite Decking Weather, insect and rot resistant composite decking boards for commercial, residential and rooftop leisure applications with a lifespan up to 30 years longer than traditional lumber.
• Underground Building Products Underground pipes and fittings, linear drainage channels, manholes and access covers, geotextiles, MDPE water pipes and underground ducting supplied for building and groundwork projects.
• Pitched Roofing Products Pitched roofing accessories including Manthorpe dry verge products, GRP dry valley trays and roof tile vents, available in various colours and styles for pitched roof finishing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Glasstrim GRP trim is widely specified on schools, hospitals and public buildings.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elevate ProductscoreOthersElevate Products is a trading division of Areco Ltd (established 2020), specialising in professional roofing tools and equipment. While technically an internal division, it operates as a distinct brand. It distributes tools under the Elevate brand as well as branded ranges from Sievert, Calloni, Stanley, Duro, Irwin, Spear & Jackson, Stihl, and Carter Steel.
• Elevate (ElevateProducts.co.uk)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElevate is listed as 'In Partnership With' on Areco's website homepage. ElevateProducts.co.uk is a brand partner for roofing tools and equipment. Many Areco product pages for tools redirect to Elevate's website for purchasing.
• EXADECKcoreTechnology or IntegrationAreco is a stockist of EXADECK A1 fire-rated porcelain decking tile boards. EXADECK is a unique extruded porcelain decking system with A1FL-S1 fire classification. Areco stocks standard collections and facilitates bespoke collection orders (500 sqm minimum, 6-8 week lead time).
• Fire DeckcoreTechnology or IntegrationAreco is a stockist of Fire Deck fibre cement A1 fire-rated non-combustible decking. Fire Deck features A1fl-s1 classification, 3D woodgrain finish, 30-year limited warranty, and is suitable for residential and high-traffic commercial areas.
• ManthorpeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAreco stocks Manthorpe branded products including dry verge products and GRP dry valley tray. Available in various colours and styles for pitched roofing finishing.
• CoxdomeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAreco supplies Coxdome roof domes available in a range of sizes with single, double, triple and quadruple skin glazing options, and clear, opaque or diffused glazing. Also stocks Coxdome roof lights.
• DakeaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAreco supplies Dakea pitched roof windows in various colours and sizes, with tile and slate flashing kits available.
• SolatubeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAreco supplies Solatube sun tunnels featuring Spectralight Infinity tubing, suitable for both flat and pitched roof applications.
• FloplastminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAreco stocks Floplast PVC guttering products in various sizes and colours (black, brown, grey, white) for rainwater drainage systems.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Manthorpe Building Products: Manthorpe is a UK manufacturer of pitched roofing accessories (dry verge, valley trays, roof tile vents) and related building products. Areco is a current distributor of Manthorpe products, making Manthorpe a direct competitor and comparable peer in the pitched roofing accessories category.
• Velux: Velux is the leading global manufacturer of pitched roof windows and skylights. It directly overlaps Areco's rooflights, roof domes, and sun tunnels categories sold via the Aldridge trade counter and e-commerce store.
• BMI Group: BMI Group (incorporating Redland, Icopal and IKO) is a leading UK and European manufacturer and supplier of flat and pitched roofing systems. It overlaps Areco's flat roofing accessories, fire-rated systems, and pitched roofing product ranges, but at much larger scale with vertically integrated manufacturing.
• Alumasc: Alumasc is a UK manufacturer of building envelope products including rainwater systems, fascia/soffit, and metal roofing trims. It directly overlaps Areco's aluminium trim (Nutrim), rainwater, and bespoke metal fabrication categories, serving similar architect- and contractor-led commercial projects.
• Brett Martin: Brett Martin is a UK-based manufacturer of polycarbonate roofing sheets, glazing bars, and plastic building products. It directly competes with Areco's polycarbonate roofing systems range, including multiwall sheets and EZ Glaze-style offerings.
• SIG Roofing: SIG Roofing is one of the UK's largest specialist roofing merchants and insulation distributors. It directly competes with Areco in distributing flat roofing accessories, membranes, and ancillary products to UK contractors, though at significantly greater scale.
• Bauder: Bauder is a UK manufacturer of flat roof waterproofing, green roof, and pedestal/paver support systems. It is directly comparable to Areco's flat roofing and A1 fire-rated pedestals/decking offering, with overlapping technical specifications on commercial projects.

Broad incumbents

• Jewson: Jewson is a major UK builders' merchant with hundreds of branches and a wide range of building materials. Comparable to Areco's distribution model for roofing and construction materials to UK contractors, but operating across many more categories and geographies.
• Travis Perkins: Travis Perkins is the UK's largest builders' merchant with a broad portfolio of building materials. It is comparable to Areco as a UK construction materials supplier but operates at substantially greater scale and breadth, with private-label competition across several of Areco's categories.
• Wienerberger UK: Wienerberger is a European clay-building-products manufacturer with a UK roofing and wall systems range. Comparable to Areco in the pitched and flat roofing materials space, but operating as a much broader European incumbent in building envelope products.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Areco