Statement about International Decorative Surfaces (IDS)
We are saddened by the recent news regarding International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) and their notice of intention to appoint administrators. IDS has been a cornerstone in the decorative surfaces industry for over two decades. Since their formation in 1999, following the merger of L Bloom and Meyer Laminates, they’ve become the UK’s largest distributor of decorative surfaces, employing over 500 people. This is an incredible achievement.
At Rearo, we’ve been fortunate to maintain a strong relationship with IDS over the years. While the company is technically a competitor, it’s also one of our valued supply partners, and our relationship goes back 30+ years. One of our current sales team members even started his career in the original L Bloom company. The legacy they’ve built is truly remarkable, and we want to take this moment to reflect on their impact on our industry and their contributions to innovation and growth.
We understand that the coming weeks will be filled with uncertainty for many, and our hearts go out to all of IDS’s employees, partners, and customers. The legacy of IDS will forever stand as a testament to the resilience and commitment of those who have been part of its journey.
Long Service Awards
On Tuesday, 10th September, Graham Mercer, Jamie Campbell and the team at REARO LAMINATES LIMITED, Glasgow, gathered to recognise five years of service from Travis Tennant and Lewis Hill. Plus, we celebrated an incredible 20 years from Daniel Danso!
Travis Tennant has been with Rearo for 5 years, working on the PUR line and recently having completed training in Solid Surfacing, Travis has become a key part in bringing new members of staff up to speed, Whilst he’s been through some health issues over the last few months it’s great to see him back at Rearo and in positive health!
Lewis Hill has been with Rearo for 5 years and has been a pivotal member of the team, Lewis has recently completed training within Solid Surfacing and has been working in the post-forming area now for the past 2 years under the watchful eye of Michael Kennedy.
Lewis has excelled in the postforming area while picking up new skills building the McDonald’s IPS pods and working his way up the skills matrix on our new Edgebander.
Daniel originally joined the company when the factory was based over in Woodville Street, and has taken on so many roles over the years. He is not only the Support Services Manager, but also our Engineer, Health and Safety Officer, ISO Officer, and Environmental Champion… Daniel wears so many hats at Rearo and has set the standards our team lives by every day. We have machines that are 30 years old, and Daniel has kept them going even on 24-hour use.
At the gathering, Graham and Jamie commended Daniel on the importance of his work within Rearo over the years. Daniel went on to say ‘Rearo is a good place to work and keeps getting better, let’s keep pushing to make Rearo the best it can be!”
Thank you, Lewis, Travis & Daniel for your hard work & dedication to Rearo!
New Manager of the Commercial Department
Good News! We are excited to announce that as of 28/08/2024, John Brine has been promoted to Commercial Manager! 🎉
Robert Bennett, Head of Sales & Marketing commented “John has proved that he has the drive and ambition to carry the Rearo Commercial department forward as it continues to grow”
We all wish John all the best in his new role!
Last Month in our Glasgow HQ, We kitted out the hallway to the downstairs meeting room with photos of Rearo staff past & present.
If you’re in the branch, take a minute to look and see some familiar faces from over the years!
Thank you to Tam for putting these up!
Two days before the Europa League Conference 3rd qualifying round with Norwegian opponents,
SK Brann, Sam Speirs and Lewis Hill carried out a day and a half’s work restoring the bar area in the hospitality suite and the main reception desk at the SMISA stadium, home of St Mirren FC
The areas were fitted several years ago and the bar top especially has seen some serious wear and tear due to the popularity of the suite with the Saints fans.
The boys used the skills they had honed in their solid surface training to bring the tops back up to look as good as new to complement both areas.
A lot of sanding and polishing was required due to the tops being a darker colour but both the areas came up looking fantastic!
We’ve built a brand-new concrete access ramp at our headquarters and manufacturing facility in Govan, Glasgow.
This ramp will help us efficiently remove waste from our dust extraction system, boosting our recycling processes and overall efficiency. We’re proud to make this improvement and continue our commitment to sustainability.
Well done to all the team involved!
Read our previous post Factory Update | Safety Fence Installation
St Mirren Football Club has released its highly anticipated 2024/25 home kit. It features a brand new, first-time shirt sponsor: Consilium Contracting Services Ltd.
Graham Mercer, Rearo Managing Director and long-term St Mirren Football Club season ticket holder and supporter said,
That’s really exciting news. Knowing Paul McGrath and the team at Consilium, we know this will be an absolute dream come true for them. The kit looks great, and it’s wonderful to see a Paisley-born, Paisley-based, Paisley family company sponsor the club… at a very exciting time for the club too.
Graham Mercer
The official announcement by St Mirren Football Club stated that they are honoured to announce Consilium as St Mirren’s new official shirt sponsor to continue their legacy together. According to the statement, the connection between the family company, Consilium and St Mirren began with a young boy growing up in Glenburn alongside his McGrath parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. The sponsorship is a result of a long-lasting relationship.
“The history of the club, the origin town of Paisley and the dedication of many generations will be remembered when you wear the 2024/25 home kit.
As we gear up for European football for the first time since 1987, this will be a kit that is long remembered as it represents us on the continent.
We cannot wait to form history together and have Consilium as St Mirren’s official shirt sponsor for the home kit 2024/25 and for the away kit 2024/25″. St Mirren Football Club.
The new kit is available online. The team at Consilium prepared a video to mark the occasion.
From one family-run business to another, the team at Rearo would like to say well done to Consilium Contracting Services Ltd. Best of luck to St Mirren Football Club in the coming season, too!
We really hope you enjoy the video as much as we did, CMON YOU SAINTS!
Today, in an additional step towards enhancing our safety standards, Daniel Danso installed a new safety fence at our Glasgow-based manufacturing facility. This fence, located beside the PUR Panel Press Line and the Vacuum Lifter line, protects passersby from coming too close to moving panels as they are transferred on the Vacuum Lifter.
The new safety fence was constructed using leftover fencing material from the state-of-the-art PVA Bonding Line installed last year.
It is a testament to Daniel’s resourcefulness, commitment to sustainability, and health and safety improvements that the leftover material was put to good use to protect our staff and customers.
Here’s some pictures of Daniel installing the fence this morning, plus an old photo of Daniel back on the original PUR line almost 20 years ago!
Thanks, Daniel!
Interested in Rearo’s improvements? Read about Dariusz & “Big Tams” project!
The Backyard Project
Logan Bryans successfully passed his driving test today! 🚗
Logan Bryans works in the Warehouse in Rearo, Glasgow. He completed his 1 year Apprenticeship in January and opted into the company’s apprentice driving lesson scheme.
Rearo’s driving lesson scheme includes 15 x 90-minute lessons arranged and paid for by Rearo. Lessons are held within working hours to ensure apprentices can attend without sacrificing personal time. Rearo also funds the Theory Test and Driving Test.
Rearo firmly believes that learning to drive builds confidence and a sense of independence.
Jamie Campbell, Operations Manager said:
“It makes me so proud when you see these young members of staff begin their journey on the road. It’s no mean feat to pass your theory and practical tests these days and it requires so much hard work.
This continues to work as an incentive to all apprentices when they join the business.
Great to see the hard work paying off and it’s even better when you see them arriving and leaving work in their own cars”.
Well done, Logan; we hope you enjoy the roads!
Site Audit at Egger Timberpak, Bellshill
At Rearo, it is essential to build strong relationships with our suppliers and customers. We also believe it is important understand every stage of the process our materials undergo, not just during manufacturing but at every stage of their life cycle.
Therefore, Graham Mercer and Louise Spokes undertook a site audit at EGGER Group TIMBERPAK LIMITED, Bellshill.
Timberpak, a recycling and reprocessing company, is a champion of the sustainable use of waste wood. It plays a vital role in our operations as Rearo waste is processed at their facility in Bellshill. From there, it is sent to Egger’s main factory in Hexham, where more of the Rearo team will be visiting in the next few weeks. At Hexham, the processed wood waste is transformed back into Melamine-Faced Chipboard, completing a full circulatory story.
Visits to sites like these are crucial in our ongoing commitment to quality and improvement.
Thank you to Connor Paterson, UK Sales Manager, for the facility tour, goody bags, and the opportunity to learn about the history of Egger, Timberpak, and the importance of a sustainable closed loop recycling process.