Pipekit targets further growth in milestone year

The Shrewsbury-based firm has been bouyed by encouraging sales since mid January and is looking to strengthen its team.

Pipekit has continued trading since the first lockdown last March and admits it has been forced to adapt to restrictions.

Martyn Rowlands, Pipekit MD, said: "When the first lockdown hit we furloughed some staff and the rest of the team worked from home.

"We were able to carry on trading. We supplied NHS projects and the construction industry.

"We kept the trade counter closed apart from a spell in the summer. We also adapted our website and introduced a 'call and collect'.

"Overall, we were probably down about 10 per cent last year after growing 20 per cent year on year prior to that.

"The first two weeks in January were very quiet but since then things have picked up significantly with a mix of UK and export orders and we hope they continue."

The firm relocated to a bigger site in Longden Road, Shrewsbury at the end of 2019 to future-proof the business.

Three times the size of the Annscroft site, the new facilities provide Pipekit with the ability to increase its warehouse provision and stock more items.

Mr Rowlands said: "This premises is substantially larger and the idea behind it was to grow and fill it.

"We are always looking at growing the number of products. We are also looking at recruiting – an apprentice and a warehouse person."

With Covid restrictions set to remain over the coming months, Mr Rowlands warned the firm might have to wait before it can celebrate its 10-year anniversary properly.

"I expect the celebrations to be relatively low key, but it would be nice to celebrate more in the coming months," he added.