Pictured above: James Russell and Kathryn Holloway with the
unique coasters and a life-size cover on which they are
based
Dealing in drainage covers may not be the most glamorous of
trades, but one enterprising Shropshire company has come up with a
quirky idea to promote its business - resulting in a major new
contract.
R&B Ltd of Madeley in Telford, produces cast and ductile
iron manhole and drainage covers, supplying most of the major
builders merchants in the country, and recently exhibited at a
large trade show in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
Sales manager James Russell commented: "We were invited to
attend this trade show in the Middle East at very short notice and
with the inherent weight of our products, decided against taking
our heavy cast iron samples!
"We invited local company Promofix, based at the Enterprise
Centre in Coalport, to come up with some promotional items to hand
out to show visitors - but they went one better and came up with a
quirky solution to showcase our wares in detail.
"Young entrepreneur Kathryn Holloway designed and created some
drinks coasters which are an exact miniature replica of our
drainage covers, complete with our own unique button and bar
pattern, with our contact details printed on each.
"At the show the coasters went like hot cakes and were all
snapped up by potential customers and visitors alike on the very
first day of the three day trade fair.
"On the back of the trade show we have now secured a major new
contract to supply our drainage covers to the whole of the United
Arab Emirates, which is absolutely brilliant news."
Kathryn added: "It was quite a challenge to supply anything at
all at such short notice, but very rewarding to know that the
unique coasters, which have a soft texture and feel to them, fitted
the bill perfectly and we are delighted that they may have played
some small part in securing a prestigious contract for R&B
Ltd.