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W.Howard - MDF Specialists
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About

For over 60 years, W.Howard has manufactured and distributed Europe’s widest range of MDF profiles – skirtings, architraves, window boards, wall panelling, door linings and bespoke products. Our core range of products is one of the largest in Europe and we hold more than 100 stock lines. W.Howard customers comprise of builders’ merchants and specialist trade manufacturers.

Our expanding range of MDF profiles includes Primed, Real Wood Veneers, Wrapped and our exclusive KOTA™ product.  We offer first rate distribution of our products across the UK and Ireland using our fleet of vehicles. Our London and Manchester distribution centres offer a collection service or a delivery service for merchants across the UK.

Our Locations

Manchester

Manchester HO is our central administration point for the Group. Here we also manufacture primed MDF profiles.

Our Manchester Distribution Centre (DC) is a 6,000m2 site, and from here our own fleet of vehicles supply customers across England, Wales and Scotland.

Powys

Powys manufactures real wood veneer and foil wrapped products, delivered across the UK from site or via Manchester.

Kildare

Kildare manufactures primed MDF profiles alongside real wood veneer and foil wrapped products as well as our exclusive KOTA™ product delivered across Ireland and Europe.

London

Our London distribution centre offers a collection or delivery service for merchants in London and the south-east.

Our History

This year we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we’ve been on an incredible journey over the last 65 years and we have no plans for slowing down.  Some of our highlights…

1958a

1958

Established by Mr.William Howard as a traditional timber merchant, serving the local farmers and joiners in Manchester.

1968

1974

Alan Grant leaves the family Timber Importing business of J.O. Grant and Co then buys into W.Howard.

1986

1986

Jonathan Grant joins his father in the business, after finishing his degree in Timber Technology.

1998

1998

The high speed moulding and priming line is installed, and the first of two storage warehouses are built.

1995

2000

The second purpose-built warehouse is built.  Racking and guided forklift trucks are introduced throughout the distribution and manufacturing.

2002

2002

Production is doubled in Manchester with a further building extension, new offices and the installation of lines 3 and 4, allowing for greater flexibility.

50th

2008

W.Howard celebrates its 50th anniversary.

It was a busy year as we decided to invest in a London Distribution centre in Thurrock giving customers the ability to collect on the same day as well as receive greater delivery efficiencies.

LDC-Handover

2008

W.Howard invest in a new distribution centre in Thurrock, London to further improve our delivery service.  The centre was opened by Mayor Maureen Pearce.

2009

2009

Newtown-based foil and veneer wrapping specialist, Polyco Limited (Powys) was acquired.

2015

2015

Fully finished spray painting capabilities are added making it possible to finish any product in any colour.

2016

2017

The Group makes a substantial investment into its Kildare site, with the introduction of a MAKOR production line.  the replacement of a single pass line introduces significant commercial flexibility to its operation in Ireland with a potential increase of around 80% available to the group capacity.  As the first investment at the site since 2012 and since the Group acquired the operation in 2016, kildare forms a key part of its business strategy for 2018 and beyond.

2018-1

2018

The Group invests into a 100,000 sq. ft industrial estate in Warrington, close to the Manchester factory, enabling the three manufacturing sites and the joinery centre to maximise the efficiencies given by central distribution.

2018b

2018

The Group celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The Group has steadily grown its market share for manufacturing and supplying one of the largest MDF profile ranges in Europe, becoming one of the UK and Europe’s preferred partners to merchants, manufacturers and distributors within the construction and manufacturing industries.

Meet our Team

W.Howard employs over 165 people across five sites.  Each one of our experienced team brings a unique blend of talent, expertise, passion and perspective to the table.

Jonathan Grant

Jonathan Grant

Group Chief Executive
Graham Williams

Graham Williams

Group Chief Operating Officer
Phil Tissington

Phil Tissington

Managing Director (W.Howard UK)
Simon Fleet

Simon Fleet

Group Commercial Director & Managing Director (Powys)
Stuart Murray

Stuart Murray

Group Finance Director
Paul McKenna

Paul McKenna

Managing Director - Kildare
Paul Ashurst

Paul Ashurst

Group Financial Controller
Emma Harmer

Emma Harmer

Group Marketing Manager
Tony Boon

Tony Boon

National Sales Manager
Steve Greenhalgh

Steve Greenhalgh

Operations Manager
Becci Brandish

Becci Brandish

HR & Wellbeing Officer UK
Andy Minas

Andy Minas

National Account Manager
Jake Cintra

Jake Cintra

National Account Manager
Jack Weaver

Jack Weaver

Area Sales Manager - North
Adrian McLean

Adrian McLean

Internal Sales Manager
Maddy Higginson

Maddy Higginson

Group Assistant Management Accountant
Matthew Potts

Matthew Potts

Marketing Assistant
Joe Rylance

Joe Rylance

QHSE Coordinator (UK)
Lesley Thomason

Lesley Thomason

Sales Support Assistant
Matthew Bellin

Matthew Bellin

Group Data Analyst
Matt Coen

Matt Coen

Sales Support Assistant
Georgia Worrall

Georgia Worrall

Group Accounts Assistant/Business Support
Gary Matthews

Gary Matthews

Transport Distribution Supervisor
Robert Moore

Robert Moore

Production Supervisor
Nick Jackson

Nick Jackson

Team Leader
Stefan Simm (Stef)

Stefan Simm (Stef)

CI & Training Champion
Chris Blair

Chris Blair

Team Leader PM Shift
Kayleigh Hemingway

Kayleigh Hemingway

HR and Admin Assistant
View More

Contact

Head Office

W.Howard Limited
Albion Park
Warrington Road
Glazebury
Warrington
WA3 5PG

E: [email protected]

T: +44 (0)1942 881 900

Our Range

  • KOTA
  • Period Profiles
  • Contemporary Profiles
  • Veneered
  • Window Boards
  • Classic Profiles
  • Wall Panelling

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