Straight Compostable Liners for YPO

TIDMSTT

Straight PLC

14 June 2012

   STRAIGHT PLC                                                                        14 JUNE 2012 

Straight COMPOSTABLE LINERS FOR YPO

Straight plc, the environmental products and services group and the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of waste and recycling container solutions, has gained a position on a new four year framework agreement with YPO, the largest public sector buying organisation in the UK, to supply its range of Compost-A-Bag(R) compostable liners. Straight already features on three other key YPO framework agreements.

YPO customers include public sector authorities, schools, colleges and universities, as well as major local government departments. Framework agreements offer a fully compliant route to market, allowing customers to buy goods without going through the full procurement process required through the Official Journal of the European Union.

The latest four year contract is estimated to be worth between GBP8m and GBP12m across the six suppliers who have been appointed to the agreement. Each supply will be awarded by a mini-competition process.

Straight supplies liners both though bespoke manufacture or from its extensive stock holding for immediate dispatch. Liners are manufactured from natural starches and are EN13432 approved. Straight liners are 100% biodegradable and compostable breaking down into water, CO(2) and biomass only. They are compatible with the Straight kitchen caddy range and also fit most other caddies available on the market. Bespoke sizes can be supplied on request and these can be customised in different colours and with individual print details.

Helen Wardman, Category Manager - Waste Management and FM at YPO said:

"We are extremely pleased to see Straight on another key YPO framework agreement and are delighted to offer Straight compostable liners to our customers."

Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive at Straight plc added:

"We believe that we are the only supplier in the market to be on four YPO framework agreements and we are delighted to be in this position. There are many companies in the compostable liner market. Being one of only a handful to make it onto this key framework is testimony to our dual commitments of quality and value.

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 the YPO:

-- YPO provides a professional procurement that allows its public sector customers cost and efficiency savings through its substantial bulk buying power and the convenience of its diverse 'one stop shop'.

-- YPO is the largest formally constituted local authority purchasing consortium in the UK.

-- The YPO customer base extends across more than 30,000 active accounts and over 100 local authority areas encompassing schools, colleges and universities in addition to all major local government departments including Social Services, Catering, Transport, Highways, Building, Energy, Admin and Waste Management as well as the Emergency Services.

-- Based in Wakefield, in close proximity to the M1 and M62 motorways, YPO employs 400 staff in its headquarters and two warehouses.

-- YPO is also a member of the Pro5 Group of professional buying organisations.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

NRAGMGMVVFNGZZM