PlastikCity Celebrates 12 Years of Transforming the Plastics Industry

October 2024 marks the 12th company anniversary for online procurement hub PlastikCity – a milestone that highlights a journey of dedication to the British and Irish plastics sector. Founded in 2012, PlastikCity has grown from a concept into an essential resource, reshaping and modernising how companies within the industry source, connect, and thrive.

The Beginning: A Vision for Efficiency in Plastics

The idea for PlastikCity emerged from Founder Carl Futcher‘s deep understanding of the challenges facing the plastics industry. After a career spanning several decades, including roles such as Managing Director of Negri Bossi UK, Carl took the bold step of launching PlastikCity from his home office. His mission: to provide the tools for every key plastic sector product or service, allowing businesses to efficiently make informed choices and improve their value.

Carl’s decision to leave a stable job and salary to start PlastikCity was no small risk. The idea was original and untested in the traditional manufacturing industry, which was slow to adopt digital solutions. Carl’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a firm belief in the power of technology to enhance efficiency, proved to be key in PlastikCity’s success.

Growth and Key Milestones

From its humble beginnings with just five service categories – Ancillaries, Screws & Barrels, Service Engineers, Asset Finance, and Used Equipment For Sale – PlastikCity has expanded to offer hundreds of categories today. Starting with only a handful of partners, the platform now boasts over 260 trusted suppliers. This growth is testament to the value PlastikCity brings to the industry, connecting manufacturers with suppliers through a simple, streamlined process.

Notable milestones over the past 12 years include:

•  January 2014: Launch of “Source a Moulder,” encouraging reshoring and promoting British and Irish moulding.
•  June 2014: Introduction of Partner News, which evolved into PlastikMedia News, now a leading digital news source for the plastics sector.
• January 2016: Official launch of PlastikMedia, providing specialised marketing services to the industry, which has since grown significantly.
• September 2017: The debut of the PlastikCity Pavilion at Interplas, offering smaller companies an affordable way to exhibit, thereby opening up new sales opportunities. This initiative has since become a regular feature at every Interplas and Plastics Live.
• August 2024: The launch of PlastikCity Insurance, a new insurance broker, in collaboration with PHL Insurance Brokers Ltd, which offers tailored insurance solutions specifically designed for businesses operating within the plastics sector.

A Family Business, Built on Passion and Dedication

PlastikCity has always been a family endeavour. Carl’s involvement in plastics began with his father, Wally Futcher, who was an influential figure in the industry. This passion for plastics carried over to the next generation, with Carl’s daughter Jess joining PlastikCity part-time during her final year at university, and later becoming the company’s first full-time employee upon graduating.

Today, Jess serves as Managing Director, while Carl’s son-in-law Will has also been part of the journey for nearly six years, now Sales Director. This family ethos underscores PlastikCity’s commitment to supporting the industry at its core.

Driving Efficiency, Supporting the Industry

PlastikCity’s core belief is that digital tools are the key to advancing the plastics industry, making companies more efficient and profitable. Over the years, this vision has delivered tangible benefits:

• Improved Sales for Partners: Regular sales leads provided to over 260 companies in the UK and Irish plastics industry.
• Efficiency for Buyers: The platform allows buyers to receive multiple quotes from different suppliers with minimal effort, saving time and resources.
• Reshoring and Local Support: PlastikCity has played an instrumental role in helping companies move from overseas manufacturers to UK-based moulders, promoting quality British manufacturing and supporting the local economy.

Staying True to Core Principles

As it has grown, PlastikCity has remained true to its founding values. The company is selective about its partners, working only with suppliers that demonstrate quality and reliable service within the UK or Ireland. This focus on quality ensures that buyers using PlastikCity can trust the products and services they procure.

The Road Ahead

The journey from a home office idea to a thriving business with a team of eight hasn’t been without challenges. However, every obstacle has strengthened PlastikCity’s resolve to bring more efficiency and transparency to the plastics industry. Today, the company maintains a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, a reflection of the values Carl instilled from the very beginning. His passion for learning and development lives on in Jess and Will’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends and technology through ongoing training and development.

As PlastikCity marks its 12th anniversary, the company remains as committed as ever to its mission of helping the plastics industry grow and succeed. This milestone is not just a celebration of PlastikCity’s success, but also a testament to the collective progress of the British and Irish plastics sectors.

Want to become a part of PlastikCity’s journey? Contact the team on info@plastikcity.co.uk to enquire about how you can become an Approved PlastikCity Partner.

Get more news from PlastikCity here. 

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