Completion of Helesi UK Acquisition

 

TIDMSTT TIDMHLS 
 
RNS Number : 5819J 
Straight PLC 
01 April 2010 
 

Date:                           1 April 2010 
On behalf of:               Straight plc ("Straight" or "the Group") 
For immediate release 
 
Straight plc 
* Completion of acquisition of UK business and assets of Helesi plc 
 
Further to the announcement on 8 March 2010, Straight plc (AIM: STT), the 
environmental products and services group, is pleased to announce that it has 
completed the acquisition of the business and certain assets relating to the UK 
manufacturing operations of Helesi plc (AIM: HLS). 
 
For further information, please contact 
 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Straight plc                           |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive     | 0113 245 2244        | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
|                                        |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Panmure Gordon                         |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Andrew Godber                          | 0207 459 3600        | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
|                                        |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Redleaf Communications                 |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Paul Dulieu                            | 0207 566 6700        | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
 
Notes to Editors 
 
·    Straight plc is the UK's leading supplier of specialist kerbside recycling 
containers as well as 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 12 million kerbside 
recycling boxes to local authorities across the UK, securing its position as the 
industry leader. 
·    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. 
·    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. 
·    Straight operates a radical business model with all manufacture outsourced 
on an international basis. Most production is local to the end market keeping 
freight movements and associated emissions to a minimum. 
·    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 has gained new 
distribution channels for the business in the UK and in Europe. 
·    In March 2010, Straight acquired the business and certain assets relating 
to the UK manufacturing operations of Helesi plc, providing the Group with a 
proprietary wheeled bin range for the first time. 
·    Straight plc has established diverse overseas sales channels and is now 
producing and selling water butts in Australia as well as strong initial sales 
in the United States and Canada. 
·    Further information about the company and its products can be found at: 
www.straight.co.uk 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
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