Deal clinched with store giant
Shropshire-based Wrap Film Systems has secured a 350-store contract with Sainsbury's to supply its unique, hygiene-friendly, no-waste, easy-cut Benedetti film/foil dispenser.
The deal, which sees the product set to become a household brand, brings to five the number of retailers Wrap Film Systems has signed up since launching into the consumer marketplace a year ago.
The expansion of the product's market base has seen 2006 turnover for Wrap Film Systems increase by 16 per cent to £22 million, with profits up 48 per cent to £1.875 million. The launch and success of the Benedetti dispenser is expected to substantially increase sales and profit in this financial year.
With Tesco Extra, Morrisons, Somerfield and Lakeland already on board, the company has successfully expanded into the retail sector from its very strong existing position in the catering, hospitality and cash-and-carry sectors, where it already holds over 80 per cent share of the UK market.
Telford-based Wrap Film is currently in negotiations with most other relevant retailers and supermarkets.
Owner, Scottish entrepreneur Gio Benedetti, said: "Since the introduction of the innovative Wrapmaster film/foil refillable dispenser into the catering sector in 1996 (presently exported to 15 countries worldwide), we have continually looked at ways of developing our products.
"With the creation of the Benedetti easy-cut dispenser we saw the potential to take to a mass market a safe, hygienic and easy-cut cling film and foil dispenser that really works.
"An independent survey confirmed that 94 per cent of consumers surveyed said they would never buy a cardboard box again once they had tried the Benedetti dispenser.
"I am delighted at the take-up from UK retailers and we are in discussions with potential partners to distribute the Benedetti throughout Europe and the US. I am particularly proud that the product was developed and designed at our Scottish design centre in Wishaw and that the initial major investment in its development is now proving fruitful.
The company invested heavily in new 130,000 sq ft state-of-the art premises at its base in Hortonwood two years ago to meet its expansion plans and the product is currently being supported by TV adverts being rolled out firstly in Scotland and then throughout the UK.
