The fridge and cooker mountains that disfigured the British landscape have inspired a new business to climb the heights of social enterprise success.

Requipit ingeniously pairs the desire to minimise landfill with the need for domestic appliances for homeless people who are rebuilding their lives.

Its service refurbishes washing machines, fridges and cookers and directs them to schemes that help the homeless furnish flats and houses as they emerge from troubled times.

Requipit is also providing vital employment and runs an apprenticeship programme that takes on youngsters who may struggle in the wider jobs market.

"We are a social enterprise that refurbishes domestic electric appliances. If there is a plug on it, we will attempt to refurbish it," says Colin Forsett (pictured), general manager of the Edinburgh-based business, which operates independently from its parent charity, the Bethany Trust

"Our aims are range from diverting electrical waste from landfill to a service that helps homeless people get back on their feet and live with dignity.

"We started in April 2008 and refurbished 8,000 appliances in the first year and will double that this year. We are running at a profit and those go back into the parent charity to help the homeless."

Requipit, which started with £150,000 worth of support from Bethany and Social Investment Scotland, employs 13 full-time staff and hopes to take on six more apprentices over the next year.

It operates from a set of units on a trading estate in Leith and is a hive of industry with a flow of appliances delivered daily that are taken through an exacting process of testing, repairing and cleaning before emerging as gleaming models.

A five-year business plan was developed which attracted grants to help apprentices and support from the government's programme to reduce landfill.

The business started as a limited service repairing cookers that were donated to Bethany's charity shop in Edinburgh.

The conditions for a solid enterprise came when the Government brought in legislation that prevented the landfill dumping of domestic appliances and other charities recognised that selling refurbished appliances could help them raise money.

"It provided an opportunity for us. We had people moving into tenancies so we needed electrical goods such as fridges and cookers," adds Foskett. "We came up with Requipit to refurbish and recycle domestic appliances for them and to sell to commercial sector landlords and the charity shop sector.

"We could contribute to stopping landfill, help the homeless, generate income from other charities and provide employment and chances for trainees.

"We currently have three working towards being fully qualified engineers and they possibly wouldn't normally get apprenticeships in the commercial sector."

Requipit now supplies appliances to a range of charity shops, hospices and starter flats for homeless people. The Bethany Trust helps more than 3,000 homeless across Scotland annually.

Its stock comes from major retailers such as John Lewis which provide models that have failed their warranty or have been damaged in transit. Other big suppliers send a stream of damaged appliances.

The company is expanding and has progressed from having four washing machine work bays to 22 and from having the capacity to test just three fridges to 30.

"We are very pleased with how it is going. As with any business, cash flow governs our success and we needed that start-up help to get us going," says Foskett, who has worked for Bethany for more than ten years after finding himself homeless when he lost a high-powered sales job.

"A combination of things got me there but I was living to excess and it couldn't go on. You can only do that for so long until it begins to effect you badly.

"I lost my job and my flat but Bethany helped me get going again. I worked in their shops and set up a scheme called Homemaker which helps people move into flats and houses with some furniture and appliances that they chose so they have pride and dignity. You get problems and sleepless nights running a business but it is so rewarding seeing the help that we give people struggling to get back on their feet.

"We also benefit the people we employ. One of our apprentices would hardly talk when he started but gradually came out of himself as he worked through to his qualifications.

"He is now out on his own and we use him as a sub-contractor. He came in the other day in a suit and tie running his own business and really articulate and professional. It has been incredible and rewarding transformation.

"We have a good team and the board are very supportive. I appreciate the back-up I get from both sides and the fact we are all thinking the same way. The involvement of everyone is important. We have team meetings and everyone participates and that team spirit means a great deal.

"To see the orders coming in, to see new people coming into the business and for Requipit to be recommended by satisfied customers is a great feeling.

"Running a business brings its pressures and stresses but we know we are making a difference and that makes it all worthwhile."

www.requipit.com