Straight plc

Contract with the YPO 

Straight plc, the environmental products and services group and the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of waste and recycling container solutions, has secured a postion on a four year framework agreement for its Steelybin range with YPO, a public sector buying organization. The framework is estimated to be worth £8m between the two contractors selected and is intended to facilitate significant cost savings for local authorities and the wider public sector.

The framework makes the Steelybin range available to the YPO's customer base for the first time. YPO customers include local authorities, schools, colleges and universities as well as all major local government departments. Framework agreements offer a fully compliant route to market allowing customers to buy goods without going through the full procurement process required through the Official Journal of the European Union.

The contract was awarded on the basis of 50% price with quality, delivery, customer service and sustainability making up the balance. It covers the full range of metal four-wheeled bins ranging from 500 litres upwards, and options include the provision of spares, recycling banks and urban systems as well as options to buy or rent products.  

This success alters the current local procurement landscape, as historically the YPO contract for steel refuse containers has been fulfilled by just one supplier. Customers now have a greater choice of products in their search for sustainability and quality.

Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive at Straight plc said:

"We are delighted to announce that the YPO has selected our Steelybin range creating an exciting new avenue of potential new customers for these products. The fact that the quality and supply chain evaluations have passed YPO's exacting standards is a testimony to the focused investment we have made in this area."

Helen Wardman, Category Manager at YPO said:

"YPO is delighted to be able to offer the Steelybin range from Straight plc as one of the options available on the framework for steel wheeled refuse containers. This particular product range from Straight has exceeded the quality expectations we set out and allows us to provide our customers with a wider choice of steel containers."

End

For further information: please contact:

Notes for editors:

About Straight plc

§ Straight plc is the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of specialist kerbside recycling containers, as well as being a key supplier of a broad range of waste and recycling container solutions.  Founded in 1993 by the current Chief Executive, Jonathan Straight, the business has since supplied more than 25 million kerbside boxes, baskets and caddies to local authorities across the UK, securing its position as the industry leader.

§ The business operates through two divisions. The core Trade Business supplying products in bulk to local authorities, utilities, the waste industry, retailers and other businesses and the Retail Business supplying a range of proprietary environmentally friendly consumer products directly to the public, often in partnership with a local authority or a utility.

§ In 2010 two major acquisitions changed the business model, which previously relied on outsourced manufacture.  In March 2010 Straight acquired the business and assets of the UK business of Helesi plc giving it a proprietary position in the wheeled bin market.  This was followed in August 2010 by the acquisition of Powell Plastics, a key supplier of injection mouldedproducts to the group.  The Powell factory, in Hull, has since been developed to include a blow moulding capability.

§ In February 2009, Straight added to its portfolio with the acquisition of Harcostar Garden Products, a long established premium brand consisting of water butts, compost bins, watering cans and accessories.  This gained new distribution channels for the business in the UK and in Europe.

§ In 2005, Straight acquired Blackwall Limited, the UK's largest supplier of home composters and water butts. Through the Blackwall brand, Straight has delivered more than 3.5 million compost bins and water butts.

§ Almost two thirds of the products the Group supplies are now produced in Straight's own factory.

§ Straight plc has established diverse overseas sales channels for its products, some of which are manufactured locally to their markets in North America and in Australia. Other markets are serviced from UK production.

Further information about the company and its products can be found at: www.straight.co.uk 

About Steelybin

§ In 2005, Straight acquired Blackwall Limited, the UK's largest supplier of home composters and water butts. Through the Blackwall brand, Straight has delivered more than 3.5 million compost bins and water butts.

§ Almost two thirds of the products the Group supplies are now produced in Straight's own factory.

§ Steelybin was launched by Straight plc in 2007, based on a newly commissioned design initially made exclusively for Straight plc in China.

§ Only the steel components are now sourced in China (with appropriate local quality control and management) with all other manufacturing elements, assembly and finishing carried out in the UK.

§ Steelybin has been supplied to more than 50 local authority customers and a number of leading waste management companies.

§ As well as being available via YPO, range is available on framework agreements run by the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation and Scotland Excel. Straight plc recently won a tender to supply the London Waste Recycling Board with 1377 Steelybin recycling banks for flats recycling.

About the YPO:

§ YPO provides a professional procurement that allows its public sector customers cost and efficiency savings through its substantial bulk buying power and the convenience of its diverse 'one stop shop'.

§ YPO is the largest formally constituted local authority purchasing consortium in the UK.

§ The YPO customer base extends across more than 30,000 active accounts and over 100 local authority areas encompassing schools, colleges and universities in addition to all major local government departments including Social Services, Catering, Transport, Highways, Building, Energy, Admin and Waste Management as well as the Emergency Services.

§ Based in Wakefield, in close proximity to the M1 and M62 motorways, YPO employs 400 staff in its headquarters and two warehouses.

§ YPO is also a member of the Pro5 Group of professional buying organisations