Restrap Limited is a high-growth manufacturer, formed in 2010 by Nathan Hughes from his bedroom.
The company designs and manufactures a wide range of technical cycle luggage and accessories for all kinds of cycle touring and outdoor pursuits. Their products range from panniers, rackless luggage solutions and backpacks to contract work. The products are sold on a B2B and B2C basis, in both the UK and overseas.
There has been a boom in the popularity of cycling, health and fitness recently. As a result, the business has experienced rapid growth which has brought about challenges such as needing to increase their capacity and productivity. To assist with their high-growth challenges, the business has utilised various support programmes available in the Leeds City Region. Restrap has benefitted from capital funding from the Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). They have also been able to access grant funding from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), and also fully funded business coaching from the Strategic Growth Programme (SGP).
MGP provided capital grant funding toward the purchase of an auto stitching machine. David Whiteley, Manufacturing Growth Manager for MGP stated, “Nathan has done an exceptionally good job to bring the business this far. He has researched and implemented good manufacturing practices such as Cellular Manufacturing, MRP, Visual Management, Kanbans, and flow. We need to continue to help this business through the growth phases.”
James Smith, Strategic Growth Manager for SGP, took the business through a diagnostic business review to ascertain their key areas for improvement, which were identified as change, people & skills. This is due to the rapid pace of growth that the company has enjoyed, and a requirement to recruit and train people in a timely and efficient manner, whilst also setting up appropriate structures within the business.
When Nathan reached out to SGP, he wanted to support his staff as the company grows rapidly and develop a framework of support for his team. The output would be a high performing team, delivering significant growth within a scaled-up business.
SGP provided Restrap with 8 days of fully funded consultancy support from their chosen expert: Tony Webster of Wayfinder UK. After an initial discussion, Tony agreed upon a project that would focus on a list of deliverables including people development, performance management techniques, introduction of appropriate KPIs, managing growth and scaling up.
James Smith stated, “‘It has been a pleasure to provide assistance via the Strategic Growth Programme to Nathan and his business. Tony Webster from Wayfinder, has developed a fantastic package of support that provides a framework for Restrap’s long term growth. Restrap is a great example of what can be achieved through collaborative business support (the LEP, MGP and SGP). And I would encourage business owners to get in touch to discuss how this could be accessed to help their own SMEs’.”
The project has helped the team improve performance and grow production outputs. A large increase in headcount has also been recorded. Before the intervention of MGP and SGP, the business had a headcount of approximately 40 FTE. This has nearly doubled to 75.
During 2021, the business moved in to a new, larger property and have invested in new machinery. It is already close to outgrowing this and so is looking into options to take up further space.
Restrap’s future plans are focussed on continued growth. This includes the business making further investments in capital. MGP plans to provide more grant funding towards improving Restrap’s marketing and manufacturing. At present, Restrap’s order book is full for the next 12 months and they are projecting a £4.5 million turnover by mid-2022.
More details on Restrap Limited will be available at www.restrap.com
West Yorkshire Combined Authority