Business in Wales finalist: GD Environmental Services

May 10 2008 by Sion Barry, Western Mail

Company: GD Environmental Services

Location: Newport

Turnover/profits: For the last financial year (April 2007/08) GD Environmental achieved a turnover of £3.2m with a profit of £164,000

What does the company do? A market leader within the waste disposal and recycling industry, GD Environmental offers a complete waste management and disposal service to businesses, councils and the general public across the UK. Formed in March 2003 we have developed from a small drainage company into a national provider of a wide spectrum of waste services.

Number of staff employed in marketing and its percentage of the total workforce? At GD Environmental we have a small sales and marketing department which accounts for 2% of the total workforce.

What percentage of turnover/budget, do you spend on marketing? Over the last 12 months GD Environmental has invested 3% of the company’s turnover into marketing and direct sales.

Do you have a marketing director? Marketing manager Gerwyn Holmes.

What marketing platforms do you use? As an ambitious growing business GD Environmental has always looked outside the box to increase brand awareness and create sales. Over the past year we have successfully created the world’s fastest skip in the form of the Skipcar. To interact with our customers and the general public we have created a fresh fun face of recycling called the Carbon Neutrals. The team, which has over 200 active members, has reduced the carbon footprint of sporting events in Wales and increased awareness of the GD Brand.

Do you believe Welsh companies/organisations generally invest enough in marketing? I don’t believe it’s about the amount companies invest, it’s more about the way in which money is invested in marketing. Too often SME’s in Wales will overlook the benefits of marketing their own brand in a fresh and innovative way and mirror their competition. At GD Environmental we have always tried to be unique and come up with fresh sales and marketing ideas but haven’t needed to invest significant sums of money to achieve success.

What impact does marketing have on the bottom line of your company? Or What positive impact does marketing have in the performance of your organisation? Marketing has had a considerable impact on the profitability of GD Environmental. In the past 12 months turnover has increased by £1m and we have almost doubled our client base. Other benefits from our campaigns have been the increase in staff morale and the relationships formed with our suppliers, customers and the general public which has put us in a strong position for this financial year.