Ecosse Plastic Supplies, based in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, opened its doors in September this year. However, its founder Roddy Rankin has more than 30 years of experience in the industry.
Having held management positions with big-name suppliers, Roddy has launched a number of building plastics outlets in the past, but this is his first personal business venture.
Roddy explained: “I’ve worked in building plastics for decades and this felt like the right time to start up my own business.
“The site is excellent, but I knew that the quality of products would be vital to our success, which is why I chose Kestrel.
“Over the years I’ve found that Kestrel has delivered on quality, customer service, breadth of products and technical help, so it was really important for me to get them on board. In my mind, they ticked all of the boxes.”
His partner in the new venture is daughter Jennifer Jolly, making Ecosse Plastic Supplies a real family firm.
To ensure that the business builds on a strong start, the business partners are ensuring that they have depth as well as breadth of stock. They are also offering next-day deliveries right across central Scotland.
This emphasis on product availability, coupled with Roddy’s technical knowledge of the products, is paying dividends. Just weeks into trading the father and daughter team have exceeded their own targets, selling a wide range of building plastics from roofline and window-line through to bathroom wet wall systems.
In fact they have also defied Roddy’s expectation by selling a far larger amount of foiled products than expected, with Irish Oak, Rosewood and Black Grain so far outstripping white.
“Obviously I have an idea of what sells well, but this does depend on the customers you’re serving, so I’m always learning and that’s what makes it exciting,” Roddy added.
The Cumbernauld outlet is being supported by Kestrel business development manager for Scotland and Ireland John Gunn.
John said: “Its great to see Ecosse Plastic Supplies get off to such a flying start and I’m sure this is just the start of great things. Roddy has a wealth of experience, which is a real asset to a business in this industry, and we’re delighted that he selected Kestrel as the roofline and cladding supplier.”