Portsmouth wooden pallet manufacturer TIPCI brings in innovative waste wood recycling process
A PORTSMOUTH manufacturer that makes 10,000 wooden pallets every week has brought in an innovative process that’s helping it to thrive while also helping the environment.
TIPCI is a pallet manufacturer, in Claybank Spur, Hilsea that supplies big retail companies.
It has introduced a process to deal with its waste wood, and instead of it being burned or taken to landfill, the waste wood is recycled and crushed to form blocks, which are then in turn used to strengthen the pallets.
Previously, the firm was buying in the blocks, which are used at the bottom of its pallets, from Holland.
Connor Hoare, front, with the team, left to right, Colin Eames, Johnny Hoare, Basir Sami, Darren Hoare, Tony Parrack and Michele Hoare. TIPCI Group Ltd in Claybank Rd, who recycle pallets thereby preventing them going to landfill Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 220721-05)
Now it is the only UK pallet manufacturer to have brought the process in house – and the decision is starting to pay off as the firm has expanded, taken on new staff and is looking to ramp up production.
Connor Hoare, who has been the acting director of TIPCI Group Ltd since 2016 after taking over from his dad Darren, made the decision to start crushing the wood earlier this year.
Connor used his love for technology to bring the business into a new age.
Connor Hoare. TIPCI Group Ltd
Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 220721-03)
Connor, who lives in Baffins, said: ‘In terms of business, what we do is important because anything that needs to be delivered would need a pallet - it is essential for businesses and warehouses.
‘Then on the other side of things, in terms of recycling, as a company we want to make a difference to help reduce excess materials that do go into landfills - we are just trying to do our bit!
‘Most of our customers and business comes from retail, so during lockdown when retail had to close, we did felt the impact because they didn’t have as much product that needed to be moved around so less pallets were being ordered.
Inside the factory. TIPCI Group Ltd in Claybank Rd, Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 220721-17)
‘But, since reopening our sales have picked back up and the lockdown showed us where our business was coming from, so since then we have diversified our customer base, so we now have customers equally across warehouses and industrial work bases as well.’
The wooden blocks that are created from the excess wood replicate the strength of timber and if put into the ground it could last up to 40 years.
The process was only made possible with the help of a group of scientists and Basir Sami, who is a university lecturer but also runs his own wood treatment company CEC AB Ltd.
TIPIC hopes to become the most sustainable pallet business within the UK, as well as the biggest pallet supplier.
Connor has just hired four new staff members and hopes to take on another 10 when the factory starts a night shift.
We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.
The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.
As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.
Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.
- How much does it cost?
75 per cent off normal rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract
- What do you get?
A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk
- How does it work?
Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.
Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.
Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.
Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.
Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.
- What could happen after appearing in The News?
Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.
It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.
Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.
If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.
As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.
The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.
Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.
- What else do I get?
As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.
You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.
You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.
Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.
- How do I sign up?
Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on [email protected] to get signed up
For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489
