Over the last 18 years, the UK’s leading non-slip decking company has invested heavily in developing its product innovation and growing in new international markets and, after a lot of hard work, Gripsure has now established a manufacturing plant in Japan.

Mike says, “Gripsure is now recognised as a worldwide business and global brand, and we have benefitted greatly from the help and support of the Department for International Trade with this Japanese venture, which has helped us to realise our ambitions for the company.”

The journey to setting up a base in Japan began in 2019 when Gami, the owner of Ikegami & Co Ltd based in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, paid a visit to the UK to see first-hand a project at the University of Cambridge featuring non-slip Accoya decking and custom graphics. Gami was so impressed with the product and spotted an opportunity to launch Gripsure in Japan.

“In summer 2019 Gami visited our base in Cornwall, and we discussed his interest in producing Gripsure’s non-slip decking products under licence in Japan. Later that year I flew out to Japan to discuss the project in more detail and we met with the British Embassy in Tokyo,” adds Mike.

A few months later, in January 2020, an agreement was signed by Ikegami and Gripsure which allowed the non-slip decking products to be manufactured under licence locally in Japan and a Gripsure manufacturing plant was sent to Fukuyama, as part of the deal.

Mike says, “Of course, what happened next is well documented – the Covid 19 pandemic stopped the world in its tracks and when the plant arrived in Japan in April 2020, we had no choice but to wait until we could move forward with the project.”

Gripsure was unable to visit Japan and commission the manufacturing plant at this time, which inevitably resulted in a delay to the launch of the product. After months of ingenuity from both parties the Japanese plant is now fully operational.

“There was a real desire to make this work successfully. We overcame the language barrier and time difference to become experts in using video calling to help us virtually assist the team in Japan to build the plant,” says Mike.

Ikegami & Co Ltd had their first exhibition in March this year, and Mike Nicholson and Maxime Caroff, Director of Gripsure International, finally managed to visit Ikegami’s Japanese manufacturing plant in early October.

Gripsure also has a wholly owned French company and is planning to establish its non-slip decking brand in 12 more territories during the next five years.

Mike was recently appointed an ‘Export Champion’ by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and recognised as a successful exporter dedicated to helping inspire and encourage other British businesses to sell their goods and services internationally.

Mike says, “We hope that by raising the profile of our partnership with Ikegami in Japan it will serve as a great example of what can be achieved and hopefully inspire others.

“As an Export Champion, I am dedicated to helping other companies explore the opportunities that international exporting provides and assist them to open in new markets around the world. I want to share our experience and knowledge with others and show how we turned our exporting ambitions into reality.”

Export Champions are an appointed community of business leaders that work in partnership with DIT. As volunteers, Export Champions often speak at or host export events, drawing on their expertise and sharing insight on their international sales experience to boost export capability.

Paul Shand, DIT’s Head of Trade in the South West says, “Businesses find it truly inspirational to hear from successful exporters like Gripsure – their insight and practical advice help businesses make the most of their potential to sell world-class goods and services internationally.”

Gripsure produces anti-slip decking for homeowners and commercial customers in the UK and across the world from its base in Cornwall and has a team of 18. It produces 250,000 linear metres of hand-crafted decking boards in Cornwall every year and has supplied decking to high-profile customers, including Center Parcs, Edinburgh Zoo, the National Trust, and Kew Gardens.

The company was recently awarded two internationally recognised ISO accreditations for quality management and environmental management systems. It also holds several certifications and memberships for its exceeding excellence in leading industry standards.

The UK’s leading non-slip decking company, based at Higher Bugle near St Austell, has been recognised as a successful exporter dedicated to helping British businesses sell their goods internationally. Gripsure produces anti-slip decking for homeowners and commercial customers in the UK and across the world from its base in Cornwall and employs 18 staff. The company, established in 2004 by managing director Mike Nicholson, is now one of the best-known decking brands in Europe.

It has a wholly-owned French company and a manufacturing partner in Japan and is planning to establish its non-slip decking brand in 12 more countries. Gripsure’s team regularly attends trade shows all over the world and is looking at further expansion with its products being manufactured and sold in North America, Australia, and Japan. Gripsure produces 250,000 linear metres of hand-crafted decking boards in Cornwall every year and is now recognised as a worldwide business and global brand.

Export Champions are an appointed community of business leaders that work in partnership with DIT to inspire and encourage more UK businesses to sell their goods and services to the world. The community is currently formed of over 400 business leaders across England, 30 of which are based in the South West. As volunteers, Export Champions often speak at or host export events, drawing on their expertise and sharing insight on their international sales experience to boost export capability.

Gripsure Managing Director, Mike Nicholson said: “Being made an ‘Export Champion’ by the Department for International Trade is a real honour and this achievement is testament to all the hard work put in by the whole team to make Gripsure the successful business that it is today. We are delighted to be part of this prestigious group of ‘Export Champions’ and to be able to offer advice, share connections and mentor others. We have benefitted greatly from the help of the DIT and expand into territories that might never have imagined when we were starting Gripsure eighteen years ago. We are now investing heavily in developing our product innovation and growing in new international markets.

“We are dedicated to helping other companies explore the opportunities that international exporting provides and assist them to open up in new markets around the world. We want to share our experience and knowledge with others and show how we turned our exporting ambitions into reality.”

DIT is the UK government department responsible for championing open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in this country and around the world.

Paul Shand, DIT’s Head of Trade in the South West, said: “As influential voices in the business community, DIT Export Champions play a pivotal role in encouraging and inspiring more UK businesses to sell overseas. By sharing their experience and expertise, the network helps other businesses realise there is a global demand for their products or services and that whilst there might be some challenges ahead, there is help and support available.

“Businesses find it truly inspirational to hear from successful exporters like Gripsure – their insight and practical advice help businesses make the most of their potential to sell world class goods and services internationally.”

Gripsure will be exhibiting at a leading trade show Carrefour International du Bois in France in June and at the American Institute of Architects conference in Chicago later the same month.

With a fast-growing consumer market, Gripsure has supplied decking to high-profile customers, including Center Parcs, Edinburgh Zoo, the National Trust, and Kew Gardens. The company was recently awarded two internationally recognised ISO accreditations for quality management and environmental management systems. It also holds a number of certifications and memberships for its exceeding excellence in leading industry standards.

For information on how DIT can support your business to grow in new markets, visit www.great.gov.uk

We have been awarded ISO 9001, for quality management systems, and ISO 14001, for environmental management. ISO is an independent global organisation, which sets rigorous international standards across all types of businesses. Gripsure’s accreditations are in place for three years and include annual site visits from an ISO representative.

To achieve both accreditations, we had to demonstrate well-structured processes and problem solving across our operations, from designing and manufacturing new products to tracking and delivering orders. To achieve ISO 14001, we also provided detailed evidence of how we are minimising our environmental impact across our activities.

Gripsure Managing Director, Mike Nicholson, said: “Quality and environmental sustainability are the two values that Gripsure is absolutely committed to. We have always been passionate about consistently delivering the highest quality products and service to our customers. In recent years, we have also taken great steps towards environmental sustainability, from working with sustainable FSC and PEFC certified timber to reducing waste. We have now taken this a step further by signing up to a commitment of becoming a net zero carbon business.

“Gripsure already enjoys a strong reputation, with consistently positive feedback. Being awarded these prestigious international accreditations by an independent body, however, will give our customers that extra confidence in the quality and environmental sustainability of our products and services.”

Gripsure Finance Director, Robin Olver, added: “When we decided to go for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 we knew we were already part way to meeting the ISO’s high standards. Taking those extra steps needed to achieve the accreditations meant building on Gripsure’s culture of problem solving, collaboration and continuous improvement.

“For us, achieving these two accreditations is not a tick-box exercise. The process has been genuinely positive and has given us the opportunity to bring together the vast wealth of knowledge and experience across our team.

“Being an ISO accredited business means providing consistently high quality, environmentally sustainable products and customer service. Our larger commercial customers will recognise these global accreditations, which demonstrate that Gripsure’s products meet the highest international standards.”

Gripsure donated 60 square metres of its non-slip sustainable Bamboo decking, which has created a visitor walkway through the enclosure. This is the new home for Moana and Fiera – Scotland’s only sloths.

RZSS is the wildlife conservation charity which leads Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. Diverse and dedicated teams care for almost 3,000 amazing animals across both zoos and carry out cutting-edge science and research. RZSS wild experts support an incredible range of projects and direct conservation action, from the Highlands of Scotland to sloth’s native home, South America.

Mike Nicholson, Gripsure’s Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be a Supporting Partner of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. As a company that works with timber, we take our responsibility towards the environment very seriously indeed. We have been developing new and innovative ways for the company to make a positive impact so our partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an important step for us.

“We know that many of our customers share our ethos. That’s why we are committed to offering them a range of high-quality sustainable non-slip decking, both for commercial and residential projects.

“It is fantastic to see how our non-slip decking has helped to create a safe visitor walkway through this wonderful new home for Scotland’s only sloths. We are delighted to have donated our sustainable decking for this innovative new attraction, which introduces visitors to the wonders of South American wildlife.”

The decking is made from Moso bamboo, a fast-growing giant grass species which stores huge amounts of carbon in its vast root network. Research from Delft University has shown that timber produced from Moso bamboo is a net carbon sink over its life span, even taking into account the transport and manufacturing process.

All Gripsure decking is certified under the industry flagship standards of FSC and PEFC. These independent certification schemes show that the timber has been sourced from responsibly managed forests. Gripsure Bamboo has been developed as a more sustainable alternative to slow-growing hardwoods.
The exhibit also features Gripsure Graphics. Edinburgh Zoo has used this innovative new non-slip decking to create fun, educational messaging for visitors. Staff said Gripsure decking helped to establish the perfect environment for the new arrivals – and their fans.

“The decking featured in the main walkway flows incredibly well with the exhibit, allowing our visitors to walk right through and become immersed in the natural look and feel of the space, which is wonderful,” said Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery and Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

“As a wildlife conservation charity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Bamboo was selected as a sustainable material both in the immediate production and in the future as it can be recycled. Gripsure’s generous donation has helped our charity create and deliver a first-class visitor experience within our new sloth building.”

Now in its seventh year, the WPA Awards showcase wood protection technology as a vital part of the timber industry. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 22 September in Coventry.

Sponsored by Impra, the Innovation Award recognises the creation of new ideas, new products and more effective ways of working. The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges made up of leading figures in the industry.

Gripsure was shortlisted for developing innovative production techniques to create two unique new products: Gripsure Graphics and DeckArt. Both are crafted from sustainable FSC and PEFC certified timber and feature the anti-slip features for which Gripsure decking is renowned.

However, for the first time, these new products offer customers decking boards incorporating a selection of attractive graphics and text.

Aimed at the commercial market, Gripsure Graphics has been used by Cambridge University, Bristol Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo. By allowing customers to create unique designs, it provides an innovative way to signpost visitors and communicate stories or information.

DeckArt is just one way in which Gripsure is responding to a significant increase in demand from homeowners. Designed for the residential market, DeckArt is manufactured using the same processes and equipment as Gripsure Graphics. It features a range of slogans, including ‘Life is better on the deck’ and ‘Home sweet home’, and decorative designs, such as paw prints and leaves.

To develop these new products, Gripsure secured funding from Acceleration Through Innovation 2 (ATI2), a project led by the University of Plymouth and funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The ATI2 programme is designed to support business innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and assists small to medium-sized enterprises that are seeking to commercialise new opportunities leading to increased growth, productivity and sustainable change. With ATI2’s support, Gripsure also received advice and guidance from manufacturing specialists at SWMAS.

Gripsure Managing Director Mike Nicholson said: “Although the Covid-19 pandemic has been a worrying and challenging time for us all, we have experienced a surge in demand from both homeowners and commercial customers.

“The pandemic has encouraged many people to focus more on their surroundings and to appreciate the many benefits of enjoying nature and the outdoors. Our non-slip decking is designed to help people create safe and beautiful spaces so they can spend more time outdoors, whatever the weather.

“Both DeckArt and Gripsure Graphics give people the opportunity to inject some individuality and personality into their projects, creating something truly unique.

“I’m delighted that the team’s creative thinking and hard work has been recognised by us being named a finalist in the WPA Awards. I am also very grateful to ATI and SWMAS for their support in creating these new products. We are shortlisted alongside some really impressive firms and look forward to celebrating everyone’s achievements.”

Peter has made dozens of the popular garden troughs, which he then sells on Facebook.
The money Peter collects goes towards The King’s Village, a project in Northern Ghana, Africa. The charity provides healthcare, education and development to the country’s poorest communities.

Peter’s planters have so far helped to raise more than £3,000 towards a £150,000 target to build a new life-saving maternity unit in the area.

“I’m so pleased with how well the planters been selling,” said Peter, who approached Gripsure to ask if he could use our decking offcuts to help his woodworking project. “I’d been getting hold of old bits of wood and upcycling them for a while, but I needed some more. I put an appeal out online and someone suggested Gripsure, who were very helpful.”

Peter, who lives in nearby Cornish town St Austell, was invited to come along to Gripsure’s site, where staff helped him to fill the boot of his car with timber offcuts.

“I must have been back five or six times since,” said Peter. “The people there are all very friendly and helpful to deal with. When I couldn’t get all of one load into my car, one member of staff delivered it round to my house the following evening.”

Peter, who admits he’s a novice woodworker, said he really enjoys making his planters of various sizes – and is just about keeping up with demand.

“I’m not a professional carpenter – I was a minister in a church,” said Peter. “But I started doing woodwork recently and got to like it,” he added, explaining how he makes his planters. “I get hold of the wood and cut them to length and then join them together. It’s a case of glue and screw, really!

“I get a huge amount of satisfaction on the one hand of taking, what is in one sense scrap and turning it into something people want.”

Peter is planning to get hold of some more Gripsure waste timber soon to create some of the smaller wooden plant pots that are selling fast on his Facebook Marketplace page. His product prices range from £20 to £30.

Gripsure Managing Director Mike Nicholson said he was delighted the firm’s offcuts were being put to such good use.

“What Peter has been doing is fantastic,” he said. “Gripsure has a strong commitment to sustainability and this community project is a great example of what can be achieved with a little imagination and hard work.

“Every day we work hard to reuse and reduce any waste from the business. All our paper, plastic and timber offcuts are recycled. We really like collaborating with local craftsmen who upcycle our decking offcuts into beautiful and unique products.
“We’re also pleased that our family business in Cornwall has helped to play some part in helping communities in Northern Ghana.”

Dartmoor Zoo, people of we owned a zoo, is located just outside of Plymouth and is home to an array of species, from jaguars to corn snakes. Earlier this year, during the first lockdown, a new enclosure was built to welcome home three new male geladas (a type of monkey). The three males, Bruno (aged 14), Kwame (aged 7 and Bruno’s son) and Soloman (aged 6 and Bruno’s nephew), were already living together at another zoo and are part of the international breeding program for their species.

Since arriving, they have been settling into their new enclosure which has been renovated especially for them to include heating, new lighting, and lots of branches for climbing and enrichment.

The non-slip decking has provided a safe walkway and viewing platform for visitors to say hello to these new faces, whilst maintaining safe access for the staff to reach and provide care for the animals throughout the year. A range of our softwood decking profiles were used to create a rampway making it accessible for buggies and wheelchairs too.

If you’d like to meet them for yourselves, the zoo is re-opening today (Friday 4th December) with restrictions in place. Check out their website for more details. They will also be running special Christmas evenings offering visitors the special chance to immerse themselves in a wild wonderland of light and create magical memories following their enchanting trails around the zoo.

The WPA is a not for profit trade association sharing a vision with its members to champion the use of timber as a building material, something we feel passionately about here at Gripsure. Now in their sixth year, the Awards have become a popular annual event which showcases wood protection technology as a relevant and vital part of the timber industry.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist for TWO our of the five categories at this year’s Wood Protection Association awards! These nominations are for the ‘Innovation’ and ‘Wood Protection Project of the Year’ categories for our work on Bristol Zoo Gardens’s Bear Wood Project. This project saw over 17,000 linear metres of our non-slip decking being used for their immersive boardwalk, which included bespoke infographics to enhance the customer journey and aid storytelling.

To ensure the safety of all participants, the event will now take place virtually via a Zoom awards ceremony on 15th October 2020 at 1pm. The event will include a review of the shortlisted nominations in each category before announcing the winners live.