Partner Article

Couple recycle for business survival

An entrepreneurial couple from Sunderland have downsized their business offering as a means to surviving the economic downturn.

John and Jenifer Purdy previously ran UK Reclamation and Recycling, from the city’s Leechmere Industrial Estate, where they had employed over 30 staff members and worked for clients including Sunderland City Council since forming the company in 1996.

Jenifer Purdy, Director at Riverking Recycling Ltd, said: “When the recycling industry crashed in July 2008 as a result of the growing global finance crisis, the effect on companies was cataclysmic - businesses had begun to focus less on recycling activity, and lower production levels meant that there were fewer materials to recycle. “We were eventually forced to realise that we simply couldn’t weather the storm.”

UK Reclamation and Recycling had to call in administrators in October 2008, and 36 employees were made redundant.

“However, there is still waste out there, and European guidelines still need to be met by businesses. With this in mind, we have decided to ‘get back on the horse’ as it were, and set up a brand new recycling company.”

The new business, Riverking Recycling, has been developed with significantly lower overhead costs. The couple now operate as brokers, using their industry contacts to build up business.

Jenifer said: “We were inspired when we found out about the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC)’s ‘priority offer’, as it seemed to cater exactly to our needs.”

The BIC’s offer allows entrepreneurs who have been affected by the downturn to rent an office and access a range of business support services from £37 per week. Louise Hardy, Business Mentor at the North East BIC, said: “Riverking Recycling’s strengths are in its contacts, and well-established relations with waste companies locally, nationally and globally. We are delighted that the BIC has been able to assist the couple, who clearly have drive and passion for the industry, to rechannel their business offering.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .