Roman Empire expands

Posted on 19 Feb 2014 by The Manufacturer

County Durham shower enclosure and bath screen manufacturer Roman has secured a £1.3 million finance package to support the development and launch of new product ranges and continued international expansion.

The company, which acquired the finance through HSBC Commercial Bank, launched its Decem range at the end of last year, targeting high-end  retail markets in the UK and overseas, and is set to introduce its Lumin8 range of enclosures later this year.

The company, which manufactures in Newton Aycliffe where it employs 160 people, exports good to markets such as Europe, Canada and the UAE.

Currently just under 10% of its turnover is generated from overseas sales and the business believes it can grow that to 20% of an already rapidly increasing turnover within three to five years.

David Osborne, Roman managing director, said: “Roman is growing internationally and we also have a subsidiary in Malaysia, which encouraged our  move to HSBC. HSBC is a bank with genuine global reach, which is massively  important  in  simplifying  international  trade.”

He added: “Roman  is  a  well-established UK Brand, and is home to the UK’s largest shower  manufacturing  plant. Being a British manufacturer  is becoming increasingly important in international markets as it is a key differential and a trusted sign of the highest quality of products.”

Pat  Dellow, HSBC Tyne Tees Area commercial director, said: “Roman is proud of  the  quality of its products and the ‘Made in Britain’ stamp certainly strikes a chord with international buyers.

“This progressive and innovative company clearly recognises the benefits of targeting overseas growth, which helps to secure and create jobs in the North East and boosts the local economy. The Government has set a target of doubling exports by 2020 and it is companies such as Roman that will contribute to that.”