Rowan was pleased to welcome local MP Richard Holden to its headquarters in Basildon last month. The MP for Basildon and Billericay, and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, was welcomed by Rowan’s Managing Director, Sarah Guest, who gave him a behind-the-scenes look at the world of excess stock.
During the visit, Richard toured Rowan’s busy warehouse and offices, gaining insight into how the business operates. Sarah also spent time outlining the important role Rowan plays in supporting FMCG manufacturers across the UK and Europe with their excess stock challenges. She highlighted how the company helps find new homes for perfectly good products, reducing landfill and supporting consumers as they try to stretch their budgets during the current inflationary climate.
Sarah and Richard also discussed at length the pressures facing Rowan and other wholesalers following changes to business rates, and the difficult real-world decisions these changes are forcing businesses to make. Despite being an SME with just 54 employees, Rowan is currently charged business rates in the same bracket as major global corporations such as Amazon.
“The impact on our bottom line is projected to be over £100,000 per year,” said Sarah. “The hard reality is that this prevents me from investing in new roles within the business.”
Richard expressed strong sympathy with Rowan’s position, commenting:
“It would be of huge benefit to have the team from Rowan sitting around the table with policy makers to provide first-hand insight into what works and what doesn’t.”
He was also impressed by Rowan’s contribution to the local community. “Rowan is proud to be a local employer, working hard to grow and add value to the Basildon community. However, these taxes are preventing them from recruiting the next generation into the workforce.”
Sarah also spoke candidly about the ongoing costs Rowan faces as a result of Brexit. Last year alone, the company moved 15,000 pallets between the UK and the EU, preventing hundreds of thousands of products from going to waste. However, this required the completion of 1,600 customs documents and resulted in fees totalling £500,000. “Sadly, none of this adds value to the company or our bottom line,” Sarah explained. “Before Brexit, these movements were faster, cheaper and easier. Now they wipe out profit, which prevents us from investing in the areas we want to — growing the business and creating new jobs in the local area.”
She added that engaging with MPs is crucial for ensuring businesses like Rowan have a voice in Westminster. “The only people who can remove the legislative challenges we face, negotiate trade deals and encourage cross-border trade — while protecting supply chains for the future — are those in Parliament.”
Richard acknowledged the pressure this places on Sarah and her leadership team as they pursue their plans for sustainable growth.
Sarah reflected positively on the visit:
“It was great to engage and feel heard by someone who can represent our challenges where it matters — in Parliament. Businesses and politicians of all parties need to work together to shape the future. Local visits like this help MPs understand the realities businesses face every day, while also showcasing the professionalism of our operation and the brilliant people who keep it running.”
