COMPANY PROFILE
The factory does shot blasting, there are fabrication bays, paint booths and we operate our own transport.
“We take the containers and give them everything they need to get back out there again. We put on new castors and lids, but the bodies are the same. They leave us often at a higher spec than they were originally.
“These are assets and they’re worth a lot of money,” she adds. “Why would you not want to repair them and use them as long as you can?”
Refurbishing containers costs a third of what it would be to replace them, while even just changing the lid or castors, or giving the container a full repaint makes a significant difference and increases longevity.
While UKCM has a 95% refurbishment success rate, containers that are beyond saving have parts are removed, repaired and recycled wherever possible, helping to fulfil the firm’s circular economy and recycling aims.
Safety and efficient operation of the refurbished containers is paramount: all elements of the process – including spare parts – are covered by appropriate quality and health and safety standards. As well as extending the life of containers of all shapes and sizes, Emma points out that well-maintained containers keep the public face of the waste sector looking its best.
Emma Elston, chief executive of UKCM
“A waste company – just like any company – has to look the part when they’re out there in the public domain. Things need to look spick and span because it reflects against the business if they don’t,” she says.
“If you see a dirty car or truck, you might think it doesn’t reflect well on the company. Just the same, containers and bins are a massive marketing tool. A lot of companies know that is something they should look at.”
Now in its 22nd year and with Emma and Julian’s eldest son among the family members working for the business, UKCM is still growing. It now handles
over 100,000 containers a year and those days of counting the pennies and worrying over the credit card bill have been replaced by an annual turnover of £7 million.
Clients include Suez and Veolia Environment Services, and a new deal has just been signed with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. UKCM is also on two key industry frameworks: ESPO Framework 860 and YPO Framework 983. ESPO and YPO are two of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, supplying products and services to a range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes.
Having conquered their own struggles to succeed, Emma ensures the business ‘gives back’ by supporting charities and mentoring new businesses while her own achievements were recognised in 2015 when she was awarded an MBE.
She also won Business Woman of the Year 2012 and is settling into her role as director of the Woman of the Year Awards, which recognises women's achievements. All a long way from counting pennies in her bedroom and dreaming of getting her business started…
“Running a business has its ups and downs as anyone running a business knows. You can have great years, not so bad years and terrible years. That’s business.
“But I’m really proud of what we have achieved,” she adds. “We’ve got an amazing bunch of people and I really believe what we do makes a difference.”
www.ukcontainers.co.uk 47
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