A touch of glass helps company sparkle with major expansion

A business started by a young entrepreneur after she was made redundant during the pandemic has unveiled a significant expansion, which should lead to around 100 new jobs over the next 12 months.

Rana Rihan launched Leeds-based Workoola in 2021 with seed funding and support from WeDo Business Services.

Workoola, which Rihan founded with just three employees, started as a provider of temporary, fixed-term and permanent staff for sectors including manufacturing, food production and processing, transport, warehousing, logistics and distribution.

Roles include factory operatives, pickers and packers and fork-lift truck drivers, HGV and van drivers, as well as supervisory and management positions. 

The recruitment division has grown rapidly, boosted by the granting of a Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) licence, which regulates businesses supplying staff to the UK fresh produce sector.

This has enabled Workoola to provide workers to the sector. 

Meanwhile, the business has developed close ties to the glass manufacturing industry around West Yorkshire and has branched out into providing quality control for jars and bottles used for food and drink items, including sauces, yoghurts and liquors.

This operation has 30 staff based at an 11,500 sq ft warehouse in Stourton, Leeds.

Workoola has an additional 15 staff in its recruitment arm, based in the city’s Beeston district.

Rihan, 29, said the company has outgrown its premises and is advancing further into glass decoration, reflecting growing demand from jar and bottle manufacturers.

She is seeking a larger site in the Leeds area totalling around 30,000 sq ft, to bring her firm under one roof, with plans to recruit around 100 people over the next 12 months for the new glass decoration division.

She said: “I was working in engineering recruitment but was made redundant in 2021 as the agency where I was employed did not survive the pandemic. I decided to go out on my own in business and see what happened.

“WeDo came on board straight away and helped me in numerous ways to get the business off the ground.

“Because of Covid and Brexit, companies had difficulty sourcing staff, and the recruitment side of the business quickly took off.

“We have placed hundreds of people in roles over the past 12 months. Now we are GLAA accredited, we are able to expand this side of the business further. 

“Alongside this, our glass manufacturing clients began asking us to train recruits to undertake quality control and, as demand grew, we developed our own facility providing an outsourced service staffed by fully-trained personnel with the specialist skills required.

“We have now outgrown our current premises and are looking to greatly expand our footprint at a larger site in the Leeds area, where our new glass decorating division will also be based.

“Demand for glass containers is increasing as manufacturers switch away from plastic due to its environmental impact.”

Workoola is continuing to receive support and advice from WeDo for its HR, back and front office, health and safety, risk assessment and payroll functions.

WeDo provides services to small and medium-sized companies, including invoice and trade finance, start-up funding, accountancy, HR, back-office, IT and digital and payroll support, with a focus on the recruitment sector. 

Chris Robinson, a co-founder and director of WeDo, said: “Workoola’s remarkable expansion and success in the recruitment sector and glass industry exemplifies the power of resilience, innovation and strategic partnerships.

“Under Rana’s leadership it has not only provided employment opportunities through its recruitment arm but has also transformed into a multifaceted business that is serving the needs of glass container manufacturers.

“We are proud to have supported Rana in her journey so far as a young entrepreneur.”