Jan 5 2006
Rapra Technology, Europe's leading plastics research and technology organisation, goes into 2006 on a wave of growth that has already broken new ground in 2005.
Sales turnover for the organisation in 2005 is now set to top the £9 million barrier for the first time. Rapra's overall headcount was increased through 2005 by over 10% with 15 people being appointed to key positions in the organisation - and still more set to join the company through 2006.
'I am pleased to report,' says Rapra Managing Director Andrew Ward, 'that in a number of important areas we are now ahead of budget and expected performance. The contribution of our large projects team, for example, in leading collaborative polymer research in Europe has been outstanding this year. We expect that activity and others - in key areas such as medical, pharmaceutical, healthcare and environmental - to continue to grow and prosper.'
Ward adds that 'this investment in new people, new activities and new markets is well on track to achieving the targets we set ourselves in 2004 - to increase our current turnover by over 50% within the next five years. It is still an ambitious strategy but one that we feel is entirely possible, given the skills of our people and the demand for their know-how and services.'
Rapra's Human Resources Manager Deborah Trelawny says that 'at the start of 2005 we announced an ambitious plan to grow our headcount by 40% over a three year period. I am delighted that we have achieved the first phase of that plan and have made key appointments in our major strategic growth areas of research projects, pharmaceutical, environmental and design services.
Over 50 new jobs will be created at Rapra over the following two years across all levels: from business development roles, technologist, analytical chemists and design engineers. And Rapra has already seen the positive results of its growth strategy with turnover increasing from £6.75 million in 2004 to an expected £9 million plus for 2005.
Trelawny says that ‘our recruitment is moving fast. If anyone is interested in joining us and has commercial polymer skills and experience, we are always pleased to receive speculative applications. For specific posts, keep a regular check on our job page at http://www.rapra.net/website/Main_Menu/vacancies.asp?,’ she adds.
Recent commercial highlights from Rapra at the year end include Medical sector sales up 75% on the previous year; Conference sales increased by 85% on the previous year and all areas of Single Client consultancy increased on the performance in 2004. Across the board Rapra's total sales performance is increased 36.6% on 2004.