Sheffield firm R3, launched in June 2011, has signed a multi-million pound deal with the City of Abu Dhabi
R3 Products, the Sheffield-based manufacturer of construction products, has signed a multi-million pound agreement to supply the City of Abu Dhabi with permeable paving and panels manufactured using recycled waste plastic.
The deal covers a two-year period from March 2012, with a rolling 12-month extension.
R3, which was founded just 15-months ago, makes products from recycled plastic that are integrated into road and drive paving to improve strength and drainage.
Products destined for the Middle East customer will initially include the patented R-Pave permeable paving system, which is specifically designed to avoid breakage problems.
Kevin Parkin, non-executive chairman of R3 Products, said: “We are delighted to announce this major agreement and we are looking forward to exporting “Made in Sheffield” products to the Middle East”.
He added: “We started trading on June 14, 2011 and this is our first significant order after a nine month start up of installing equipment, training employees and selling product.”
Mr Parkin is ex-managing director of heavy engineering business DavyMarkham in Sheffield. He helped turn the firm around from a loss-making position with no apprentices to a company that was fit for Indian miner Hindustan Dorr-Oliver to buy in 2011, where 20% of the staff are apprentices today.
