Disposables targets expansion years with aim to double turnover

The Meltham-based family-owned company, which moved into larger premises in July last year, manufactures and distributes paper disposables and associated cleaning and hygiene products for the ‘away from home’ market, which includes sectors such as leisure and education.

Paul Halliwell, sales director at Disposables UK, said: “2013 was a pivotal year for us. We invested £1.7m into new machinery and moved into larger premises. We also saw some great sales successes across our brands and we enjoyed continued growth on our Bay West brand (a range of paper products and dispensers), achieving double-digit growth figures for the past three years.”

He added: “2014 will see us working smarter. Following the relocation of our four previous premises to one larger site, it is the first time in many years that we are all under one roof and this is a great opportunity to be leaner in both manufacturing and operational terms, and to be more aggressive in selling. We see 2014 and 2015 as expansion years and, with our aim to almost double turnover from £16m to £30m by 2018, the next few years will be pivotal.”

He said that 2014 will see the firm further expand into Europe, following the recent appointment of Glen Staddon as European business manager. Mr Staddon, who previously worked at Georgia-Pacific as national accounts controller, will work closely with Mr Halliwell to play a key role in developing the firm’s presence in the European market.

He will be responsible for broadening the Bay West brand in untapped European markets, as well as extending business into areas where it already has a presence.

Disposables UK currently works in the Netherlands, Denmark and France and will be targeting Germany, Sweden and Eastern Europe, namely Poland and Croatia, in 2014.

Mr Halliwell said: “With regard to the wider industry, we believe that the manufacturing market in Yorkshire is set to strengthen in 2014, with a higher volume of business available. However, there will still be challenges ahead.

“Manufacturers now have to look towards building profits, and not buying volume at any price, so that we can all invest and grow stronger as an industry. How we respond and react to different supply routes will certainly be a consideration.

“Direct selling through ship-through strategies and e-commerce transaction will bring increasing issues, particularly where people are determined to erode the price differentials within our market. All this impacts on our traditional routes to market.

“For the industry, it’s not about how we follow the lead, it’s about how we adapt, harness and embrace these opportunities. And that’s exactly how we view 2014; as a year of real opportunity for ourselves and the industry as a whole.”

Disposables UK’s two main brands are Bay West, a partnership with American corporation Wausau Paper, and Optimum Professional.

The firm’s Bay West range of washroom dispensing products for work environments was used during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at venues within the Olympic Park. Bay West is manufactured under licence by Disposables UK.

Disposables UK was formed in 1987 by the late Trevor Storer and his wife, Diane, who is today company chairman and owner.