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 KOTAâ„¢ 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…
1958
Established by Mr.William Howard as a traditional timber merchant, serving the local farmers and joiners in Manchester.
1974
Alan Grant leaves the family Timber Importing business of J.O. Grant and Co then buys into W.Howard.
1986
Jonathan Grant joins his father in the business, after finishing his degree in Timber Technology.
1998
The high speed moulding and priming line is installed, and the first of two storage warehouses are built.
2000
The second purpose-built warehouse is built. Racking and guided forklift trucks are introduced throughout the distribution and manufacturing.
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.
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.
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
Newtown-based foil and veneer wrapping specialist, Polyco Limited (Powys) was acquired.
2015
Fully finished spray painting capabilities are added making it possible to finish any product in any colour.
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
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.
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.
