One of Birmingham’s oldest manufacturing companies is using high-tech engineering to recreate shop blind and awning components not made since the art deco 1920s.

Aston-based Hopkins is using 21st century engineering to manufacture the complex trellis arms used in 1920s shop awnings.

Originally developed after the First World War, the trellis arm awning was found on many premises in the period between the wars.

Traditionally made of bronze, most trellis arms were plundered for their scrap metal value, but now Hopkins is reviving their manufacture, making them in their original bronze or from steel.

The arms are milled on computer-controlled machines in Hopkins’ precision engineering department, assembled with modern parts and plated to the customer’s specification. Each trellis arm is made to order, with high levels of strength and durability.

As well as manufacturing new trellis arms to original or bespoke patterns, Hopkins also re-conditions original arms, bringing them back to full working order.