A Glasgow-based manufacturer and supplier of toilet cubicles has revealed plans to double the scale of its commercial operation partly because of a surge in demand for single-sex toilet facilities.

Glasgow-based Rearo, which provides toilet cubicles and washroom facilities, has announced plans to “achieve 100% growth” in its commercial sales over the next 12 months.

Rearo, which supplies a range of UK businesses including fast-food restaurants, supermarkets, and high-street chains, declared it had now made a full recovery after the pandemic.

Its turnover for the past 12 months was £9.65 million, with a provisional target of £10.8m for the 2024/2025 financial year.

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In the past year, commercial products accounted for 22% of sales, exceeding the company’s target significantly.

Rearo said: “This success has prompted a revised commercial sales target of £5m for 2025, compared with a previous target of £2.3m.”

The company declared its growth strategy is “underpinned by a robust recovery from the Covid downturn in the past two financial years and an anticipated surge in demand for single-sex toilet facilities following new building regulations in England and Wales”.

Rearo said that it had capitalised on increased demand for home, do-it-yourself renovations, leading to a rise in domestic sales, declaring: “This, combined with recent penetration into new commercial sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, and education, has set the stage for future growth.

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“The company is anticipating a significant increase in demand for its products as a result of new government regulations banning gender-neutral toilets with multiple cubicles in England and Wales. These regulations are expected to drive demand for separate single-sex toilet facilities in all new non-domestic public and private buildings. Rearo continues to produce and supply gender-neutral toilet cubicles for buildings in Scotland, where building regulations have not changed.”

Rearo said it had further enhanced its product offerings with the introduction of wash troughs and new laminate finishes, including “anti-fingerprint technology and soft matte surfaces”.

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Graham Mercer, managing director of Rearo, said the company is well placed to expand the commercial side of its business. Its commercial team has been expanded from four to seven staff with a new representative for central Scotland appointed.

A £120,000 investment in new equipment will further “enhance efficiency and optimise production processes”, Rearo declared.

Mr Mercer said: “We are incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead for Rearo. Our commitment to innovation, despite some challenging market conditions, has created a perfect storm for growth.

“We are confident that we can achieve our ambitious targets, particularly as we are well-positioned to capitalise on the changing landscape of washroom facilities in the UK.”

Established on Shetland 50 years ago, Rearo has a 67,000sq ft manufacturing base in Govan, with showrooms and distribution centres in Fife, Tyneside, and Northampton. A new branch in Skelmersdale, opened in March last year.

Clients have included McDonald's, Amazon, Microsoft, Asda, Bank of Scotland, Cambridge University and the University of Strathclyde, as well as Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.

Rearo also services public and third sector contracts for schools, local authorities, and housing associations.