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Curtain rises on Act 2 of Rubie's Masquerade success story

For Immediate Release - 02 October, 2006

The world's No 1 manufacturer of fancy dress costumes and theatrical accessories has more than doubled its distribution centre within Liverpool Freeport to keep pace with growth in its sales across the UK, Ireland and parts of Continental Europe.

Inside the new extension to Rubie's warehouse Inside the new extension to Rubie's warehouse

The company, which holds licences to produce costumes from Star Wars, Harry Potter and other major blockbuster movies, has seen turnover at its Liverpool centre rise from £650,000 in 1999 to £8.2 million last year.

Rubie's 20,000 sq ft unit at Liverpool Freeport Park has now been extended to accommodate further expansion of business supplying costumes, wigs and other accessories to major retail chains and specialist outlets including Toys R Us, Argos and Woolworths.

Celebrating the warehouse extension with some of its occupants are (left to right): Peel Ports Marketing Director Frank Robotham, Liverpool Freeport Manager Alan Canavan, Mersey Ports Chief Estate Surveyor Andrew Martin, Rubie's President Marc Beige and his brother and fellow Executive Howard Beige Celebrating the warehouse extension with some of its occupants are (left to right): Peel Ports Marketing Director Frank Robotham, Liverpool Freeport Manager Alan Canavan, Mersey Ports Chief Estate Surveyor Andrew Martin, Rubie's President Marc Beige and his brother and fellow Executive Howard Beige

High density, narrow aisle racking in the warehouse extension offers 2,228 pallet spaces for the products flowing into Liverpool from Rubie's manufacturing sources at its base in New York State, USA and the Far East."

Rubie's Masquerade has over 2,500 items in its catalogue. "And the business just grows and grows," said Marc Beige, President of Rubies Costume Co. Inc. "Since moving into Liverpool Freeport more than a decade ago the business has gone from strength to strength. The new additional warehousing provided by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, will enable us to continue responding to the market in Britain, Ireland and on the Continent."

"Liverpool Freeport has proved to be an ideal location for our comprehensive distribution operation and we are grateful to the Zone's operators, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, for their support throughout."

Frank Robotham, Marketing Director for Mersey Docks and its parent company, Peel Ports Group, said: "Rubie's success is ample evidence of Liverpool Freeport's ideal logistical location as a distribution centre offering added value to companies involved in international trade."

NOTE TO EDITORS

  • Liverpool Freeport was opened in 1984 and is the UK's largest and most successful free zone, handling £6 million worth of goods every week.

Press Enquiries:

  • Peel Ports Group, Tel +44 (0)151-949-6000
  • Pictures available on request
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