R2 Furniture Solutions – a new business formed by Remploy staff who lost their jobs when the Baglan facility closed – has exceeded its sales targets in its first year of trading and expanding into larger premises with room for future growth.
Port Talbot based R2 Furniture Solutions supplies an extensive range of furniture, fixtures and equipment for the contract furniture market which includes education, NHS, office, accommodation, leisure, and emergency services sectors.
As it enters its second year of trading the company plans to increase activity in all areas and is exploring export opportunities.
It successfully won and delivered a number of key contracts to schools throughout the UK last year including All Hallows School in Farnham, Richmond College, three schools within the Girls Day Trust and King John’s School in Essex.
R2’s growth potential was recognised when it was enrolled onto the Welsh Government’s High Potential Starts programme delivered by Winning Pitch. The programme provided considerable strategic support to help R2 operate successfully in a niche market
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “It was a huge blow when Remploy decided to close its facilities and the Welsh Government made a commitment to help and support those who were made redundant. Its great news to hear that despite difficult trading conditions R2 Furniture Solutions is winning business, creating jobs and providing work for former Remploy staff and I wish the company every success in the future.”
Managing Director Mike Jenkins started the business in 2013 with the help of 0xygen8 Solutions, a business advisory team that helped them build a business plan and find finance from Royal Bank of Scotland Invoice Finance and HSBC for the business.
Mike recruited the former purchasing and sales and customer services teams he had worked with at the Remploy furniture business who between them have more than 150 years of combined experience in the contract furnishing and fixtures and equipment market.
Mike said: “When we started our aim was to build a successful business that would provide work for as many disabled Remploy staff as we could and as the company grows we will be looking to employ more people who have to overcome barriers to work. We have recently been working with the Job Centre Plus Disability Advisory team, and have been awarded the ability to use the Positive About Disability symbol.
“The business has grown rapidly and achieved an impressive turnover in its first year with sales exceeding targets. This has allowed for expansion and we now employ nine people and will shortly be expanding and moving to larger premises.
“The main obstacle that we had to overcome in the first instance was establishing a brand in the marketplace quickly to build on and develop the goodwill and relationships built up from the Remploy era.
“Our customers have seen what we can do, we are getting repeat business and expect to double turnover in our second year.
” R2 Furniture is extremely grateful for all the support shown by the local MP Dr Hywel Francis, and David Rees AM, and particularly the help it has received from the Welsh Government – the ESG funding it provided to ex-Remploy employees has been invaluable. The support from the High Potential Start programme delivered by Winning Pitch helped get the business to the successful position it finds itself now.”