If you’re from West Yorkshire or just love a good “made in the UK” success story, you’ll want to hear this. A local manufacturer called Rosehill Polymers has quietly been doing something pretty impressive. Not only have they opened a brand-new factory in Sowerby Bridge, but they’ve also gone from exporting to 52 countries to more than 60 – all while supporting apprenticeships and boosting local talent.
And they’re not a huge flashy brand. They just happen to make the kind of super-tough, recycled rubber materials that hold up rail tracks, secure roads, and power infrastructure in places as far-flung as Chile and Saudi Arabia. Here’s what’s going on and why it matters.
From local roots to a global footprint
You know how you always hear people say that UK manufacturing is struggling? Rosehill Polymers is proof that’s not always true. They were founded back in 1988 and have been based in West Yorkshire ever since, making high-performance polymers out of recycled rubber. Basically, they turn old rubber into really smart materials used in everything from railways and roads to energy and security systems.
But business got a serious boost in 2023. That’s when UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government department that helps British companies sell abroad – stepped in. They guaranteed part of a trade loan from Virgin Money, giving Rosehill the breathing room they needed to go big.
And go big they did.
Nine new countries in just one year
Thanks to the extra cash, Rosehill opened a second factory in Sowerby Bridge and charged into nine new international markets in just 12 months. These include:
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cayman Islands
- South Africa
- Angola
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- Iraq
- Romania
That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a sign that what they’re making – sustainable, high-quality products – is in demand around the world. And they’re not done yet.
For 2025, Rosehill has even more countries lined up, including Argentina, Malaysia, and Singapore. Basically, they’re covering more ground than most people’s holiday bucket lists.
Investing in Yorkshire’s next generation
What’s maybe even cooler is how Rosehill is using this momentum to invest back into the community. They’ve got around 100 staff now, including their own in-house chemists and technical experts. But they’re not just hiring – they’re training.
With the financing help, Rosehill is supporting apprenticeships and university placements so that young people in West Yorkshire can get into the manufacturing world without needing to leave home. It’s a way to make sure the region’s skills don’t fade out – they grow with the company.
As CEO Alexander Celik put it:
“As we enter this next exciting phase of growth, our attention turns to meeting global demand, all while providing opportunities for people across Yorkshire.”
It’s not just about exports – it’s about opportunity.
What the partners had to say
This isn’t something Rosehill did on their own. It was a proper team effort – local business, national finance, and government all working together. Here’s what a few of them had to say:
Alissia Deane, West Yorkshire Export Finance Manager at UKEF:
“The support provided to Rosehill Polymers highlights UKEF’s commitment to helping British SMEs achieve growth in overseas markets.”
Craig Wilson, Head of FX Sales & Trade Finance at Virgin Money:
“Rosehill are a fabulous example of a successful and innovative UK manufacturing business growing their customer base through the world, and in the process growing their workforce locally.”
It’s nice to see collaboration that actually works – and benefits real people.
Quick look: where Rosehill is expanding
Here’s a neat list of where Rosehill’s export map has grown lately:
New countries added in 2024–25:
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cayman Islands
- South Africa
- Angola
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- Iraq
- Romania
Markets they’re eyeing for 2025:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Panama
- Suriname
- French Guiana
- Namibia
- Malaysia
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Singapore
Why this actually matters
Let’s be honest, “polymer manufacturing” isn’t the sexiest phrase in the world. But this story is about more than just rubber and exports. It’s about sustainable growth, smart partnerships, and proving that regional companies – even ones tucked away in West Yorkshire – can compete globally without losing their local roots.
And in a time when so many stories are about factories closing or jobs disappearing, Rosehill’s journey is like a big breath of fresh air. More jobs. More skills. And more UK-made products being used in real projects around the world.
Pretty good for a company working out of Sowerby Bridge, eh?
Want to follow Rosehill’s journey?
Check out their story on Yorkshire.com, or keep up with export news through UK Export Finance.
