In the world of public sector procurement, most supplier relationships don't last thirty years. Contracts are re-tendered, requirements often change, and suppliers come and go. Being a Ministry of Defence supplier consistently for three decades isn't something that happens by accident. That level of continuity tells you something significant about the way we work. This year, Ramco marks three decades of working with the Ministry of Defence. We think that's worth talking about. We’re taking a look back at how it all started, how the relationship has grown, and what it means for every Public Sector organisation needing a credible disposal partner they can genuinely trust.
In 1996, Ramco competed against 2,000 other businesses for a contract to handle the sale of MoD surplus, making the final shortlist and kickstarting Ramco’s position as a supplier to the MoD. This marked the beginning of Ramco’s journey as a business, starting with only five employees and zero turn over.
In the early years a disposal service was also provided to other government departments including various fire and rescue services, HM Prison service, local authorities etc. although as procurement policy changes so did we. However, Ramco quickly learned that working with the MoD and other public sector organisations means being completely transparent, compliant and accountable. Every disposal task must be fully auditable, every step documented, and every outcome justifiable under scrutiny. Those are standards that Ramco committed to and have maintained ever since.
The clearest measure of how Ramco has maintained a strong relationship with the MoD is what happened next. Over the years there were numerous new contracts awarded including more recently contracts for scrap metal; waste and battery disposal. The success of winning MoD contracts in Ramco’s early years allowed it to grow as a business and become established in the world of disposal. Innovation played a major part, resulting in the opening of a retail shop, the development of an eBay outlet, and departments dedicated to refurbishing and reselling electronics, catering equipment, boats and generators.
Through working with the MoD, Ramco has sold many weird and wonderful assets, a few of which we can’t mention due to the confidential nature of the work. However, there are plenty of stories we can tell, and they give a real sense of just how varied life can be. We thrive during a crisis! For example in the late nineties when the UK was struck by the BSE crisis or ‘mad cow’ disease, through our MoD contract we helped DEFRA dispose of a large quantity of geosynthetic clay liners and assets from a woodyard that had been commandeered, Following the 2021 COVID pandemic we also assisted the Cabinet Office and DHSC with the resale of surplus PPE and mask making machinery.
Take the 40,000 jerry cans located at the MoD's West Moors Fuel Depot near Bournemouth. For 90 years the 188-hectare site served as the MoD's main storage facility for petrol, oil and lubricants for all three branches of the armed forces. Ramco sorted through the consignment, identified those suitable for resale, arranged for the rest to be recycled, and had 28 lorry loads cleared from the site within days. Then there were the Pacific 22 rigid-hulled inflatable boats, retired by the MoD after being deployed worldwide for logistics, counter-piracy, defence and rescue operations. Ramco refurbished each vessel before taking them to market, even exhibiting at Seawork, one of Europe's leading commercial marine exhibitions. At the more musical end of the spectrum, Ramco visited the stunning Grade II listed Kneller Hall in Twickenham, former home of the Royal Military School of Music, to collect a full load of surplus musical instruments for auction.
More recently, Ramco managed the clearance of over 40 pieces of redundant printing equipment from MOD Feltham ahead of its site closure. At 150 tonnes, the press wasn't a small job. Recognising the equipment's value Ramco ran a targeted online auction for international buyers of industrial printing machinery, generating £125,000 for the MoD in just two weeks.
The scrap contract, awarded in 2021, added another dimension entirely. With around 10,000 tonnes of scrap generated from UK military bases every year, covering everything from aircraft and armoured vehicles requiring demilitarising to ship refits and manufacturing projects. Ramco built a UK wide network of regional subcontractors to manage collections across the country.
And then there's the clothing and textiles contract Awarded in February 2024 it has grown into one of the most exciting challenges in Ramco's history. Processing over 800 pallets of surplus military clothing every month, with 18 specially trained staff who sort, check and grade everything from jackets and sleeping bags to tents. Within just eight months Ramco had sold over 850,000 individual items and generated sales that were nearly double the original estimates.
No two jobs are the same. The assets are different, the locations are widespread, and the MoD’s requirements are stringent. But the one thing that has never changed is the approach: compliant, auditable asset disposal that’s delivered to the same standard every time whether it's a load of jerry cans or a site full of printing machinery.
The clothing and textiles contract has opened up an exciting new chapter for Ramco. Out of it has grown something that goes well beyond asset disposal. Operation Upcycle takes surplus military garments that are too damaged to resell and gives them a completely new purpose. Working alongside the Winchester School of Art, fashion students are currently reimagining these garments into sustainable contemporary designs, with veterans involved throughout the process. Help for Heroes recently joined as our official charity partner, adding national reach and deeper veteran engagement to the programme. It's not what you might expect from an asset disposal company, but after thirty years of continually finding value in things, it feels exactly right.
Thirty years is a long time to maintain any relationship, let alone one with the Ministry of Defence. The contracts are regularly re-tendered and Ramco must compete every time in order to win them. The fact that Ramco has been successful time and time again says something about our high standard of service, our knowledge, experience and willingness to go the extra mile.
For Public Sector organisations looking to transparently dispose of taxpayer-funded assets, that kind of pedigree matters. It means working with a trusted supplier that is aligned with government policy and already meets the rigour of providing an accountable asset disposal solution. And when an unusual or complex job comes along (because after thirty years of working with the MoD they certainly do), it means you’ll have a partner with the experience to handle it.
But this milestone means more to us than just a number to celebrate. It's proof of what happens when you build your business around doing things the right way. The MoD has held us to the highest standards since 1996, and meeting those standards has shaped how Ramco operates throughout everything we do. It’s in our DNA.
"Winning that first MoD contract in 1996 set the operating standards for Ramco. Even today, every client we work with whatever the job, receives the same level of accountability and compliance that we've been delivering for over 30 years.
Thinking back to the days before email when we stamped letters using a franking machine. Rather amusingly the company logo had been produced incorrectly. It read “RAMCO – Contractors to the MOB”. We never had any bad debts! Thirty years on, we're still here and holding MoD contracts. I think that says it all."
Neil Sanderson, Managing Director at Ramco
If you’re a Public Sector organisation looking for an asset disposal partner with the experience and track record you can trust, please get in touch.