RSL’s founders originally owned a metallic coatings business and spotted an opportunity to diversify into a new and emerging market for resin coatings; Resin Surfaces Limited; RSL was created in 1982 and today is the UK’s leading manufacturer of resin systems for floor and walls.
The first two products launched to the UK market were Resuseal WB and Resutop, both are still available today which is testament to the founders ethos to create proven product formulas using high quality materials to provide superior floor & wall coatings that last.
RSL now boasts a large range of resin floor and wall coatings available in the UK with RSL products used in major companies & brand leaders worldwide including: Coca Cola, Schweppes, Unilever, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, British Airways and the NHS.
Ivy Wroe, Managing Director of RSL, started at the company in a Telesales role and soon showed her talent for understanding products and forging good relationships with Contractors & Customers.
Ivy broke the glass ceiling with her promotion to Sales Representative, competing in a man’s world she became RSL’s top performing Sales Manager and soon began working with the Directors on business strategy.
In 1998 Michael Waterhouse one of the original founders and the Managing Director at the time wanted to take a step back into the role of chairman and approached Ivy who seized the opportunity to step up into the role of Managing Director. During the last 5 years the company has been transformed by strategic direction, drive and passion for resin. Ivy’s initial plan saw her develop a talented and experienced management team which together focused on customer service and increasing production efficiencies. The RSL team has forged good associations with a capable base of Contractors that are adept and are committed to thorough preparation and quality installation to achieve the best results.
Jeremy Waterhouse (son of one of the founders. Michael Waterhouse) has also developed within the company and now holds the position of Sales Director.
After establishing a strong base in the UK, Ivy and the team started to identify and build relationships with key Agents and Distributors overseas and now export-to over 15 countries with key markets in Australia, Russia & Norway.
Ivy Wroe said: “Celebrating our 30 year anniversary is a huge achievement. The team at RSL have worked really hard especially over the last few years when the resin industry has become more and more competitive.
"Through efficient procurement and closely following raw materials markets we have been able to maintain prices across our core product range and sustain our position as a market leader. We’ve combined this with bringing innovative new products to market including our Decora range which compliments all of our existing products; giving RSL one of the most comprehensive resin product ranges available in the UK.”
Thirty years on RSL still manufactures in the UK and is proud of its commitment to continue to do so. This is reflected in the company’s recent investment programme into a new research & development laboratory & testing area and re-organisation of the production area to increase capacity.
Looking forward to 2013 Ivy states: “whilst the market is likely to remain slow we are building even more relationships with leading specifiers and supporting our capable Contractor base; furthermore our entry into additional overseas markets is boosting not only growth but product development too.
"I hope that the business is continually learning from our successes and by adhering to our ethos of producing quality products, working with, good contractors and providing excellent service we will be here and moving through the next 30 years.”
