Tableware firm plans to double turnover to £50m after funding deal
A WORCESTERSHIRE glass and tableware supplier is embarking on expansion plans after securing a new funding deal.
Arc International UK, based in Arthur Street, is one of the leading suppliers of tableware products to the food service market in the UK. Its intention is to more than double the size of the business over the next five years.
The company, which also has an office in Leeds, supplies tableware brands such as Chef & Sommelier and Arcoroc. It also offers gastronomy and oenology products that meet the needs of all manners of food outlet, from a Michelin star restaurant through to a gastro pub, and a premium hotel through to an economy style travel inn.
The company has purchased a new site in Pershore which will enable it to relocate from its existing three sites into a 292,000 sq ft single site operation, providing additional space to increase new lines and stock. It has also sublet some of the new premises to local firm White Logistics.
Brian Thorpe, managing director, Arc International UK, said: “The new funding from Barclays has assisted with the acquisition of the former polestar site and this will provide the space for us to relocate all our business into one building and benefit from the cost savings this will bring.
“The increased space will help us fulfil our long term goals of increasing market share in the UK and Irish Markets by giving us the ability to both increase existing stock and look at new lines for the future.”
Arc International now employs more than 32 staff across both the Worcester and Leeds sites but is looking to increase this over the coming months with an additional 20 new roles in Pershore. The company is also looking to increase turnover from £20m to £50m over the next five years.
Sam Drummond, Barclays Relationship Director said: “We’ve been working with Brian and his team since he acquired the business in 2009 and it’s great that we’ve been able to support further expansion plans for the business. Arc International UK is a superb business that is sourcing innovative products for the UK leisure market and the management’s ambitious growth plans are testament to their hard work and success.”
