Indicator figures show Rapra exceeding targets

Rapra Technology turned in a healthy performance at Interplas 05, the UK's leading plastics exhibition earlier this month.

Rapra Technology turned in a healthy performance at Interplas 05, the UK's leading plastics exhibition earlier this month.

"Interplas 05 was a good busy show for us with a high level of demand for technical services and enquiries - and also for book sales, training and conferences".

"We also have a good number of excellent leads in product design, testing and analysis to follow through", says Richard Walton, Marketing Manager, Rapra Technology.

The Interplas 05 exhibition coincides with figures from Rapra's forthcoming 2005 Annual Review which reveal that the Shawbury and Billingham-based company's like-for-like trading profit - year-to-date - is over three times higher than that achieved last year.

Company-wide sales for the same period have also improved by 32.9% on last year's figures.

Managing Director Andrew Ward said: "Our investment in new activities and new markets is clearly paying off: these indicator figures from the first half of this year show us exceeding our targets".

"We are pursuing an ambitious strategy but one that we feel is entirely possible, given the skills of our people and the demand for their services".

Ward added: "Our policy of investment in niche services and technologies across the spectrum of plastics and rubber markets is paying off".

"Our intention to increase turnover by 50% within the next four years is well on track and it is particularly pleasing to note this year that double-digit sales growth is a common feature of our portfolio - all across the board".

Sales volumes for large collaborative projects at Rapra Technology, for example, already exceed GBP 1.1 million with at least another GBP 1.4 million expected in the next two months.

Rapra's day-to-day single-client consultancy and technical-services sales are ahead by over GBP 350,000 (19%), year-on-year so far.

Ward added: "The relatively new brand of Rapra Pharmaceutical has been a star performer with sales more than doubled at 138% year-on-year".

Other growth areas include sales of testing and other services at its North East site, Rapra Billingham, up by 21%.

The company's rubber based consultancy work is also increased by 20%.

Rapra's Information Division sales have grown by 25%, thanks largely to the contributions made by project work such as the energy-saving RECIPE scheme.

Headed by Dr Sally Humphreys, Rapra Conferences have also seen a renewal in business performance with sales increased by 84%.

Rapra's forward single client order take-up is also currently increased 21%, year-on-year.

The company's total forward order book now stands in excess of GBP 3.6 million.

These figures confirm and validate Rapra's intentions and policy at the beginning of the year.

At that time the company announced its plan to increase its headcount by over 40%, involving over 50 new jobs, through new business growth over the next five years.

Back to top