Construction services company announces multi-million dollar US distribution deal

Rapid–EPS, the Leeds-based construction services company, has signed a multi-million, five year agreement with Aluma Systems North American Forming and Shoring.

The company, which designs and manufactures edge protection systems, will use this new contract to expand its engineered edge protection product line throughout the USA.

Aluma Systems will be the exclusive distribution partner for the Rapid Edge Protection System in the United States.

Rapid-EPS was founded in 2011 by David Brine and Peter Hewson, who developed the concept of making an edge protection system with a telescopic post which would be considerably faster to erect than the existing drill and fix systems.

The company’s Rapid Post and Edge Protection products have enabled it to grow by 50% year on year, now operating from a 50,000 sq ft factory and warehouse in Leeds, where it employs 50 staff.

The company recently made a £500k investment in a bespoke robotic production line to enable it to increase capacity.

David Brine, Rapid–EPS chairman, said: “We are excited to enter into this agreement with the leading commercial access, forming and shoring company in the United States.

“The values of the two companies are closely aligned and, working together, we believe we will be able to provide the highest quality and most cost- effective edge protection on jobsites across the United States.

“As well as establishing ourselves as the largest manufacturer of edge protection in the UK, we have also secured an international reputation based on the unique design of our products.

“From the beginning, we have really focused on growing the business through export and our systems are now available around the world, from Dubai, Canada and Australia to Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Export now accounts for 40% of sales and the US market in particular offers great potential.”

Sol Solomou, president of Americas Forming and Shoring for Aluma Systems, commented: “We believe that a strong partnership between Rapid–EPS and Aluma will add value to our customer base.

“Engineered edge protection systems are increasingly recognised by the construction industry as a cost-effective means to improve job site safety.

“Combining Rapid–EPS edge protection with commercial access, forming and shoring products and labour services, Aluma will be able to offer even more comprehensive and complete solutions to our customer base.”