Simply Plastics
Simply Plastics is a UK-based online supplier selling cut-to-size acrylic, polycarbonate and engineering plastic sheet, tube and rod, plus in-house CNC routing, laser cutting, polishing and bending, serving DIY consumers and trade customers in the UK, 12 European countries and North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersColchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Simply Plastics does
Simply Plastics Limited is a UK-based, independently owned online supplier of cut-to-size plastic materials and bespoke fabrication services, trading for over 30 years from a Colchester warehouse with a registered office in Billericay, Essex. The company sells acrylic (Perspex-branded and unbranded cast and extruded), polycarbonate, aluminium composite (Dibond/Alupanel), PVC foam board (Foamex), engineering plastics (Acetal, Nylon, PEEK, Polyethylene, Polypropylene), acrylic tube, rod, discs, and recycled acrylic (PERSPEX®re), with a separate accessories line of adhesives, cleaners and fixings. It operates dedicated e-commerce storefronts for the UK, 12 European countries, and North America (USA and Canada), each with local currency pricing and duties settled at checkout.
The technical core is in-house fabrication using Multicam Apex 3R 3-axis CNC routers (sheets up to 3m x 2m, 100mm thickness), three CO2 laser cutters (0.1mm tolerance), Bermaq diamond edge polishers, CR Clarke strip heater line bending jigs, and Trotec Speedy 300 engraving. A real-time cut-to-size pricing engine on the website lets customers configure dimensions, edge polishing, rounded corners and drilled holes and receive instant quotes, with CAD file (.DWG/.DXF) acceptance and an optional free-issue service for customer-supplied materials.
The business model is predominantly transactional e-commerce (DTC) with a trade account programme for business customers. Revenue comes from cut-to-size material sales, fabrication add-on services (CNC routing, laser cutting, polishing, bending, engraving), and accessories; pricing is unit-based with tiered volume discounts, no minimum order charge, free UK delivery over £250, and express delivery options. Customer segments are deliberately diversified across DIY consumers, sign makers, shopfitters, retailers, lighting and marine manufacturers, exhibition companies, education, and construction — with no disclosed anchor enterprise contracts, suggesting a long-tail revenue mix.
Simply Plastics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simply Plastics
- Legal name
- Simply Plastics Limited
- Website
- https://simplyplastics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Simply Plastics is a UK-based online supplier selling cut-to-size acrylic, polycarbonate and engineering plastic sheet, tube and rod, plus in-house CNC routing, laser cutting, polishing and bending, serving DIY consumers and trade customers in the UK, 12 European countries and North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simply Plastics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plastic materials and fabrication services
- NAICS
- All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Protective Thermoformed Packaging (Dunnage, Trays, Clamshells) (IMANAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Plastic Films & Laminated Packaging Structures Manufacturing (IMANAEAD)
Keywords
Where Simply Plastics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Simply Plastics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cut-to-Size Plastic Materials Sales: The primary revenue stream is the sale of cut-to-size plastic sheet, tube, and rod materials (acrylic/Perspex, polycarbonate, aluminium composite, PVC foam board, engineering plastics) through the e-commerce website. Customers select size, colour, thickness, and finish and pay per panel/piece. Revenue is one-time per transaction (not subscription). Tiered discounts are applied based on quantity ordered.
- Plastic Fabrication Services: Additional revenue is generated from fabrication services including CNC routing, CNC laser cutting, diamond and flame polishing, rotary and laser engraving, and line bending. These are charged as add-on services to material orders or as standalone bespoke services for custom projects from prototypes to large production runs.
- Accessories and Consumables: Sale of plastic-related accessories including adhesives (CT1 sealant, Soudal Fix ALL), polishers (Unipol), cleaners (VuPlex), microfibre cloths, aluminium standoff fixings, and plastic welding solvents. Accessories are sold at fixed per-unit prices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard cut-to-size plastic sheet, tube and rod with tiered volume discounts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Free delivery threshold |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Edge finishing and fabrication add-ons |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Simply Plastics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simply Plastics is an online supplier of cut-to-size plastic sheet, tube, rod and disc products — including acrylic/Perspex, polycarbonate, aluminium composite (Dibond/Alupanel), PVC foam board (Foamex), and engineering plastics (Acetal, Nylon, PEEK, Polyethylene, Polypropylene) — configured online with real-time pricing and delivered direct to customers across the UK, Europe and North America. The company also offers in-house plastic fabrication services (CNC routing, CO2 laser cutting, diamond and flame polishing, line bending, and rotary and laser engraving) as stand-alone or add-on services for bespoke projects from prototype to production runs.
Product overview
Simply Plastics is an online supplier of cut-to-size plastic materials and custom fabrication services. The core offering consists of plastic sheet, tube, rod, and disc products in various materials (acrylic/Perspex, polycarbonate, aluminium composite, PVC foam, and engineering plastics) that customers can order in custom dimensions. Fabrication services including CNC routing, laser cutting, diamond/flame polishing, line bending, and laser engraving are offered as complementary services to process the materials. The product portfolio includes branded materials (Perspex) as well as unbranded alternatives, with specialty products such as recycled acrylic (PERSPEX®re), lighting diffusers, frosted and tinted sheets, and application-specific categories for uses ranging from picture framing to marine environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cut-to-size plastic sheet materials Plastic sheet products cut to customer-specified dimensions in materials including clear and coloured acrylic/Perspex, cast and extruded acrylic, acrylic mirror, aluminium composite, PVC foam board, polycarbonate, PETG, and 100% recycled cast acrylic. Configured online via real-time pricing and supplied to businesses and DIY consumers for uses spanning greenhouse glazing, shed windows, splashbacks, signage, lighting fixtures, marine glazing, retail displays, and framing.
- Acrylic tube Cut-to-size acrylic tubes in clear and coloured finishes, supplied in various diameters and wall thicknesses for DIY, retail display, lighting, and engineering uses.
- Acrylic rod Cut-to-size acrylic rods in clear and coloured finishes, available in round and square profiles across various sizes and diameters, used in fabrication, display, signage, and DIY projects.
- Plastic discs Pre-cut round plastic discs available across acrylic, aluminium composite (Dibond/Alupanel), PVC foam board (Foamex), polycarbonate, and recycled plastic materials in various colours and finishes.
- Engineering plastics Cut-to-size engineering plastic stock including Acetal, Nylon, PEEK, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene for industrial and engineering applications requiring higher mechanical, chemical or thermal performance.
- CNC routing fabrication service In-house precision CNC routing service using Multicam Apex 3R 3-axis routers capable of machining sheet sizes up to 3m x 2m with thickness up to 100mm. Available as add-on to material orders or as bespoke services to trade and consumer customers from prototype to production runs.
- CNC laser cutting fabrication service In-house laser cutting service using CO2 laser machines (including Lotus Blu125 with 1250x900mm work area and 100W power) to cut complex shapes in plastics and acrylics with tolerances as small as 0.1mm.
- Diamond and flame polishing fabrication service Edge polishing services using Bermaq AM-1 and Bermaq AM-2 diamond polishers, plus flame polishing and buffing mop techniques, to deliver smooth, glossy edges on acrylic panels.
- Line bending fabrication service Plastic bending service using CR Clarke strip heaters and jigs for precise folds and curved finishes in acrylic, capable of handling thin materials and multiple bends in materials up to 25mm thick.
- Rotary and laser engraving fabrication service Laser and rotary engraving using a Trotec Speedy 300 for detailed engraving on acrylics, laminated plastics, glass, wood, leather, and other materials.
- Plastic-related accessories and consumables Adhesives, sealants, polishers, cleaners, microfibre cloths, standoff fixings, and plastic welding solvents sold at fixed per-unit prices to complement cut-to-size plastic and fabrication orders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Clear cast acrylic (Perspex) transmits 92% of visible light — higher than most types of glass
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Simply Plastics
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Simply Plastics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Simply Plastics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Perspex International LimitedcoreSimply Plastics is a Perspex-approved online stockist and approved fabricator. They stock and supply the full range of Perspex product lines including clear, coloured, frosted, fluorescent, tinted, metallic, natural, sweet pastel, and recycled (PERSPEX®re) cast acrylic sheets. The company claims to stock the widest range of Perspex colours in the UK.
- Palram IndustriescoreStockist of Palram polycarbonate sheet products including clear, opal, and prismatic polycarbonate. Palram is a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheet materials.
- WorldPay and PayPalcorePayment processing is handled by WorldPay (processing over 25 million transactions per day in more than 200 currencies) and PayPal. These are the primary payment gateway providers enabling secure checkout on the e-commerce platform.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Simply Plastics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Perspex International: UK acrylic sheet manufacturer whose brand is central to Simply Plastics' positioning as an approved stockist and fabricator. Comparable on product line but operates upstream as the brand owner rather than as a DTC retailer.
- Professional Plastics: Large US-based plastic products distributor with a much wider industrial product portfolio (including fabricated parts and machined components). Comparable on engineering plastics distribution and fabrication services, but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple geographies.
- Laird Plastics: Established US plastic products distributor with broad sheet, rod, tube, and fabrication offering to trade customers. Comparable on B2B plastic distribution model but larger footprint and broader portfolio.
- Palram Industries: Global polycarbonate and PVC sheet manufacturer and supplier, and a key Simply Plastics stockist partner. Comparable on polycarbonate product set but positioned upstream as a manufacturer rather than a DTC retailer.
Direct peers
- The Plastic People: UK-based direct competitor selling cut-to-size acrylic, polycarbonate, and other plastic sheet online with real-time pricing and trade services. Most comparable peer — same geography, same product mix, same e-commerce DTC model.
- Tap Plastics: US retail chain offering cut plastic sheet, fabrication services, and DIY/installer guidance. Comparable on combining walk-in/online plastic supply with fabrication services for SMB and DIY customers.
- Cut My Plastic: UK online cut-to-size plastic supplier offering acrylic, polycarbonate, foamed PVC, and engineering plastics with instant quoting. Direct competitor on price, service, and target customer in the UK SMB and DIY segments.
- Acme Plastics: US plastic distributor and fabricator providing cut-to-size acrylic, polycarbonate, and engineering plastics with CNC and laser cutting services. Comparable on product breadth and fabrication capability mix.
- ePlastics: US-based online plastic sheet, rod, and tube distributor with fabrication services. Comparable on product mix (acrylic, polycarbonate, engineering plastics) and cut-to-size DTC model, though predominantly US-focused.
Emerging players
- Sheet Plastics: UK-based online cut-to-size plastic sheet supplier focused on hobbyist, education, and DIY customers. Comparable as a niche DTC competitor in the UK cut-to-size plastics category, particularly on the consumer side.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Simply Plastics social profiles
Digital presenceSimply Plastics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simply Plastics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Simply Plastics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simply Plastics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Simply Plastics
What does Simply Plastics do?
Simply Plastics is an online supplier of cut-to-size plastic sheet, tube, rod and disc products — including acrylic/Perspex, polycarbonate, aluminium composite (Dibond/Alupanel), PVC foam board (Foamex), and engineering plastics (Acetal, Nylon, PEEK, Polyethylene, Polypropylene) — configured online with real-time pricing and delivered direct to customers across the UK, Europe and North America. The company also offers in-house plastic fabrication services (CNC routing, CO2 laser cutting, diamond and flame polishing, line bending, and rotary and laser engraving) as stand-alone or add-on services for bespoke projects from prototype to production runs.
Is Simply Plastics a public or private company?
Simply Plastics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Simply Plastics founded?
Simply Plastics was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Simply Plastics based?
Simply Plastics is headquartered in Colchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Simply Plastics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Cut-to-Size Plastic Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are plastic Fabrication Services and accessories and Consumables.
Who are Simply Plastics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Perspex International, Professional Plastics, Laird Plastics and Palram Industries. Direct peers are The Plastic People, Tap Plastics, Cut My Plastic, Acme Plastics and ePlastics. Sheet Plastics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Simply Plastics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simply Plastics.
What industry is Simply Plastics in?
Simply Plastics's product category is Plastic materials and fabrication services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAHAC, Industrial & Protective Thermoformed Packaging (Dunnage, Trays, Clamshells), with a secondary code of IMANAEAD, Plastic Films & Laminated Packaging Structures Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 326199 and its SIC code is 3080.