A ground-breaking composite timber and plastic product that is in soaring demand in other parts of the world appears poised to take the UK market by storm following the development of a company by two entrepreneurs with a solid pedigree in both sectors.
Composite Prime is the brainchild of Yorkshire businessmen, Dom Harrison and Charles Taylor. While first established in 2014, the company has since undertaken extensive research and development and is now well placed to roll out a product range that industry experts predict could be set to take over from timber decking on home soil.
Both men live in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, and the venture combines their family histories in the timber and plastics sectors.
Taylor, who owns and runs Taylor?s Timber Centre in Bradford, is a third generation timber merchant whose family has been established in the timber industry since 1950, while Harrison hails from a family renowned in plastics.
His father, Geoff, in 1980 co-founded and many years ago floated Polypipe Plc, based in Doncaster and now the world?s largest manufacturer of plastic piping systems for use in the residential, commercial, civil and infrastructure sectors.
Composite Prime is targeting the UK decking, fencing and cladding sectors. Harrison explained: ?While the product is a manufactured mix of wood and plastic, it has the natural look and feel of timber, combined with the strength and durability of high density plastic.
?It lasts for years and alleviates many of the problems associated with traditional timber – discolouring, warping, rotting, splintering and general weathering when exposed to the elements. It?s also slip resistant, comes in a range of colours and requires no staining or painting.
?And while the product comes in at a slightly higher price than traditional timber, one of its main benefits is being low maintenance, which we are adamant far outweighs the price differential. ?At the end of the day, it makes life much easier for the end user ? and that?s key.?
Composite Prime?s HD Deck, HD Fence and HD Clad product range is also said to be environmentally friendly, containing 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood timber from well managed, sustainable sources and recycled plastic.
Taylor pointed out: ?While composites are already established markets in other parts of the world, the product has yet to break new ground in the home market. We identified a niche, have undertaken extensive research and development on what the UK market wants, primarily in terms of quality, and now have extensive stocks in place.
?Composites currently hold 5% market share in the UK, but massive growth is anticipated.
Traditional timber decking has had a good run over the past decade or so, but forecasts are that composites will command 60% of all decking sales over the next three to four years.
?While still relatively in our infancy, we?re strong and growing quickly in an emerging market sector. We?re primed to take advantage of this and already have a number of agents in place selling into timber and builders merchants, and garden centres across the country. It?s early days, but some of the major players are already sitting up and taking note.?
The company says it will also seek to develop new innovative composite products to replace traditional timbers. The website is www.composite-prime.com email hello@composite-prime.com www.facebook.com/compositeprime/ twitter.com/composite_prime
