Marking a monumental milestone, Composite Prime will initially start retailing its HD Protect and Abzorbit products in the vast decking and cladding American market. 

Fuelled by a rise in home improvements during the pandemic, the Ilkley-based company experienced a surge in demand for its products and added 137 new stockists to its expanding network of authorised suppliers since January 2021, including Grass Direct and Travis Perkins.

To accommodate the brand’s rapid growth, Composite Prime has strengthened its customer service, marketing and research and development teams, with the recruitment of six new staff members, bringing the total company headcount to 14. 

Charles Taylor, director at Composite Prime, said: “We’re delighted that despite a challenging year with the pandemic and shortages of raw materials, we have been able to grow the business significantly. The growth of the business in 2021 has surpassed all previous year’s and significantly exceeded the projections outlined for 2021. We’ve also agreed a two year partnership with the National Buying Group,  which will be pivotal for our future growth.

“Since the conception of Composite Prime in 2014, the American market has always been a goal for us. Decking and outdoor living is a huge consumer interest in the States,  and homeowners trends show an interest in larger, more elaborate decks with the introduction of specific trends such as pergolas, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. 

“In the UK, the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns presented some positives for us as homeowners were driven to reevaluate their homes and consider how they could make sure all the space available to them. This hasn’t been the sole reason for our growth though, we’ve had a phenomenal year of change with new point of sale materials distributed to all of our stockists, launched Prime Design, a full 3D design software for Composite Prime accredited installers, invested in our marketing and improved our full range of products.” 

The firm’s recent success has also led to a significant expansion in office space at Composite Prime’s headquarters at The Grove in Ilkley, Yorkshire, where the business has increased its facilities by 1,280 sq ft. 

Charles Taylor added: “Having outgrown our offices at The Grove, we’re thrilled to have secured two new additional office suites that will allow us to continue to grow. We’re all incredibly excited for the future at Composite Prime.”

Founded in 2014 by Domenic Harrison and Charles Taylor, Composite Prime manufactures a range of nine products, including cladding, decking and flooring, which are tested against the latest requirements to measure strength, impact resistance, weathering, extreme temperature cycles, UV resistance and water absorption.

The company is dedicated to producing sustainable materials. Each square metre of composite decking contains the equivalent of more than 3,000 plastic bottle caps or 280 plastic bottles. In the six years of operation the brand has saved the equivalent of 151 million plastic milk bottles from landfill.

For more information about Composite Prime please visit: www.composite-prime.com 

Mackenzie Spencer’s team of experienced corporate finance and legal experts join Hentons’ 125 strong team, with a national footprint of offices in London, Leeds, Sheffield, York, and Thirsk. Chris Sellars from Mackenzie Spencer will now become Head of Corporate Finance at Hentons.

Nadeem Ahmed, Managing Partner at Hentons said: “We are delighted that Chris and Samantha Sellars are joining the Hentons family. Mackenzie Spencer’s unique offering of lead advisory and legal services adds a competitive advantage to the Hentons corporate finance offering to clients which will enable us to provide a comprehensive suite of services to businesses embarking on mergers, acquisitions, sales and fund raising.” 

The firm will be authorised to provide both accountancy and legal services, enabling it to deliver an end-to-end corporate finance service with a fully integrated corporate legal services solution for each deal.

Chris Sellars, from Mackenzie Spencer, said: “Mackenzie Spencer recently celebrated 10 years in business, and we felt that now was the right time to join a top 100 firm and increase our national presence and be part of Hentons’ exciting growth plans. The team and I are absolutely delighted to join the Hentons family and look forward to working with the partners in supporting clients.”

He continued “Despite the pandemic, the market is buoyant and plenty of businesses have liquidity and have managed to build-up resources as part of their expansion plans. With significant tax changes on the horizon, business owners are considering their strategies, and we will be ideally placed to provide market-leading advice as part of Hentons.”

Hentons, which has a turnover of over £7m, is ranked as one of the top 100 accountancy firms by fee income in the UK by industry bible Accountancy Age. 

The digital and traditional signage specialist designed, manufactured and installed over 100 signs at the store – the retailer’s 396^th and its first in the Czech Republic.

The project comprised of illuminated external Primark branded signs measuring almost five meters in length, as well as unique internal directional and departmental signage on each of the store’s three floors.

It’s the latest project Widd Signs has completed for the retail giant, with the company transforming more than 150 Primark stores over the last 14 years, including its flagship Barcelona outlet last year.

Commenting on the project, Widd Signs managing director Gary Williams said:

“We’re proud to serve as one of Primark’s trusted suppliers and delighted to have been able to play our part in helping to create this incredible new store.

“This truly was a turnkey project, with our specialist teams designing, manufacturing and installing all of the signage, overcoming numerous challenges along the way, including the Covid-19 travel restrictions.”

Primark’s Wenceslas Square store is located in The Flow building, which was designed by the UK-based architectural firm Chapman Taylor.

Established in 1888, Widd Signs provides signage consultancy, design and production to a range of high-profile businesses operating in the construction, retail, and sports and leisure sectors. Its clients include established construction companies such as Sir Robert McAlpine and Winvic, and leading retailers including Marks & Spencer, Primark and Schuh.