When the pioneering marine architect, Ronald ‘Rip’ Martins, set up Martins Plastics back in the 1960’s he already knew that GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) would represent the 20th century’s most significant development in boat building. He also realised that it was a material with great potential for all sorts of applications way beyond the boat industry. 

As a marine architect he had designed cruisers such as the Bourne and Broom series and other low wash leisure craft for use on the Broads, with lines which would not have been possible using traditional materials. Rip was himself a Norfolk Broads boatyard owner and boatbuilder gaining hands on experience working with GRP, as well as an understanding of the versatility of this comparatively new material, for use both in and out of the water. 

Rip’s confidence proved well founded, as Martins Plastics grew to establish a large customer base throughout the Eastern region. The business is now benefiting from it’s third generation of family management and ownership having passed from father (Rip) to daughter (Marion) and now to grandson (Simon). 

In 1970 Rip moved Martins Plastics to central Norwich, leaving behind the boatyard in Griffin Lane, first moving to the Sprowston Road area before moving on to purpose built premises on Martineau Lane south of the city centre. Marion then moved the business in 2002 to it's current location on Heartsease Lane on the northeast of the city ring road with closer links to the Broads and it's boatbuilding community. 

Simon’s previous career as a systems support manager means he is able to drag Martins Plastics into the technological advantages of the 21st century, among these advances is our on-going website development. 

Both Marion and Simon have quite literally grown up with Martins Plastics and as such have an understanding of the company’s original ethos of informed, helpful, friendly service.

Today Martins Plastics delivers glass fibre, resins and a comprehensive range of associated products to a diverse customer base. Although our original customers were boat yards and boat builders we now also supply theatrical set designers, theme park modellers, flat roof builders, sculptors and anyone else who may have a commercial need for fibre glass products.

As an independent business, we are not tied to any particular makes of product. Although we are an approved distributor for multiple manufacturers, our independence means that we retain the ability to stock a wide range of products, and can source whichever product best suits our customers’ need. 

We have been involved in the supply of fibre glass products for more than 40 years and so we have a real depth of knowledge about the products and the diverse way in which our customers use them. 

Martins Plastics offers a delivery service within the Broadland area from its warehouse on the ring road of Norwich, as well as a trade counter, for those who prefer to call in and see us.

Whether it is to discuss particular product requirements, or just to offer some free advice as to what might be required to carry out a specific job; we are always happy to talk to our customers in person or on the phone or even via email. 

So if you wish to waterproof your roof with fibreglass, make a statue for your home or garden, some lifelike boulders, mass producing boats in fibre glass or just repairing a small hole, we can probably help.