Distribution deal with Stewart

TIDMSTT

Straight PLC

13 December 2011

 
 Date:              13 December 2011 
 On behalf of:      Straight plc ("Straight" the "Company" or 
                     "the Group") 
 Embargoed until:   0700hrs 
 

Straight plc

Distribution deal with Stewart

Straight plc, the environmental products and services group and the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of waste and recycling container solutions, is pleased to announce that it has agreed a deal whereby Stewart, the leading UK garden products brand, will become the UK garden centre distributor for Straight's Harcostar range of water butts and accessories.

The deal, which is exclusive for an initial period of two years, will see the Harcostar range marketed to Stewart's extensive distribution network, which reaches over 1,000 UK garden centres. The range will also be featured in the Stewart's 2012 Buyers Guide.

The Harcostar brand was established in the 1960s and was acquired by Straight in 2009. The range includes premium barrel-shaped water butts as well as a wide range of accessories to fit both existing Harcostar products and also other manufacturers' containers.

Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive at Straight plc said:

"Stewart has an excellent reputation in the market and we believe is a natural fit to distribute the Harcostar range of products. Harcostar is a very strong brand and we look forward to working with Stewart to see this offered to a broader customer base."

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For further information: please contact:

 
 Straight plc 
 Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive    07977 002 366 
 
 Redleaf Polhill 
 Rebecca Sanders-Hewett /Jenny Bahr    0207 566 6720 
 
 Cenkos Securities 
 Ivonne Cantu (Nomad)                  0207 397 8980 
 Christian Hobart (Sales) 
 

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 Stewart

Formed in 1945, Stewart is the UK market leader in the manufacture and supply of technical plastic moulded products for the gardening, home and professional catering sectors. The company offers a large range of products in its portfolio ranging from garden planters and propagators, to food containers and specialist storage products.

Stewart Garden produces grow your own products, watering, pots, propagators and garden accessories. These are available in over 1000 outlets across the UK and Eire including major DIY outlets such as Homebase and Wilkinsons and garden centres across the UK such as Dobbies and Klondyke/Strikes, The Garden Centre Group and some 600 plus independent garden centres.

For more information visit www.stewartlimited.co.uk

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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