Major Framework Agreement

 

TIDMSTT 
 
RNS Number : 5755G 
Straight PLC 
03 February 2010 
 

Date:                           3 February 2010 
On behalf of:               Straight plc ("Straight" or "the Group") 
For immediate release 
 
Straight plc 
 
* Major Framework Agreement 
 
Straight plc (AIM: STT), the environmental products and services group, is 
pleased to announce that it has been appointed by the Eastern Shires Purchasing 
Organisation ("ESPO") and the Central Buying Consortium ("CBC") to supply a 
range of products under a three year refuse and recycling product Framework 
Agreement ("the Agreement") which is expected to generate revenue in excess of 
GBP8 million for the Group. 
 
Under the Framework Agreement, Straight has been awarded joint supplier status 
on an extensive range of core products including steel wheeled bins, kerbside 
boxes and food waste caddies. The Group has also been awarded sole supplier 
status for the provision of compost bins to ESPO and CBC's members and end 
customers. 
 
Straight is the only company to supply such a range of products under the 
Agreement and the Group believes that it will provide considerable opportunities 
for its core products whilst also benefiting local authorities through their 
ability to aggregate purchasing. 
 
Straight's selection as sole supplier of compost bins under the Agreement is a 
direct result of the early termination in September 2009 of WRAP's, the 
government funded Waste & Resources Action Programme, scheme to supply home 
compost bins to local Councils in England. Having supplied more than half of the 
compost bins used by WRAP during its six year campaign, and created the model on 
which WRAP's campaign was based, Straight is ideally placed to provide local 
authorities in England with a competitive compost bin programme 
 
ESPO and CBC are local government purchasing and distribution consortia with a 
potential geographical spread from North Nottinghamshire through to Hampshire, 
including Bristol in the West and Norfolk in the East. This Framework Agreement 
includes an option to deliver to individual households, public sector bodies and 
organisations, as well as UK-registered charities based in the area. 
 
Commenting on the news, Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive of Straight plc, 
said: 
"We are absolutely delighted to have such a prominent position on this Framework 
Agreement. Building on a relationship established in 2006, we are now able to 
offer almost our entire range through ESPO. Steel wheeled bins are now included 
for the first time and the range includes kerbside boxes, foodwaste caddies for 
indoor and outdoor use, woven kerbside bags, compostable liners made of paper 
and bioplastics and compost bins for bulk supply. 
 
"In terms of the home composting campaigns we can now offer to all councils, we 
are looking forward to returning to the forefront of a market that we led for 
many years prior to WRAP's intervention." 
 
 
For further information, please contact 
 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Straight plc                           |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive     | 0113 245 2244        | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
|                                        |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Panmure Gordon                         |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Andrew Godber                          | 0207 459 3600        | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Ashton Clanfield, Corporate Broking    |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
|                                        |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Redleaf Communications                 |                      | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+ 
| Paul Dulieu / Kathryn Hurford          | 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. 
·     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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