South Essex businessman Philip Cooper is bubbling with excitement after a massive contract with one of the world's biggest companies made him a millionaire almost overnight.
Cheers - Philip Cooper toasts his success. Picture: ANDREW BELFORD 9KE451
The 39-year-old's Fobbing-based in-store display and signage firm Out Performance Display (OPD) has beaten off fierce competition from a multi-million pound pan-European rival to land a £5m contract from soft drink giant Coca Cola.
The company was established three years ago and employs just 20 people.
Under the new five-year contract, OPD will take sole responsibility for the design, production and installation of Coca Cola branding on every high street in the UK.
It will generate turnover of more than £1.5m this year alone, making it one of the most lucrative accounts the global giant awards to any one company.
The deal makes Mr Cooper a millionaire overnight and secures the jobs of the 20 workers at his manufacturing plant in Maldon. He said: "I'm absolutely delighted.
"I'm now in the position of being a millionaire, which is a nice thought, and from a business point of view it gives us at least five years of security and will certainly allow us to be more selective in the other projects we take on."
In spite of being such a small company, OPD already counts Welcome Break, Haagen Das and Courts furniture stores among its clients.
Published Thursday, May 2, 2002
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