Huge Howdens kitchen factory expansion creates 100…

Huge Howdens kitchen factory expansion creates 100 jobs in East Yorkshire

Kitchen giant Howdens has unveiled its new multi-million pound state-of-the-art factory expansion, an investment creating 100 new jobs.

The East Yorkshire joinery specialist, understood to have invested tens of millions, opened up the Heartlands addition in the town it has taken as its name, onshoring production of high gloss cupboard door frontals from Italy.

The new line, which is more than a kilometre long and one of the largest of its type in Europe, was opened by David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden. He joined Andrew Livingston, chief executive of the FTSE-listed business, for a tour of the site, which is being strategically expanded from 75 to 100 acres, as first revealed early last year.

Lower costs and reduced lead times were flagged as big benefits from the addition, with quality maintained. It comes after the company recently invested in a second high speed painted architrave and skirting line, more than doubling capacity, enabling Howdens to service in-house a substantial increase in demand.

Lee Parish, director of manufacturing at Howdens, said: “We are continuing to invest in increasing capacity at our two major manufacturing sites in the UK to support Howdens’ ambitious expansion plans in the UK but also internationally. The new factory extension strengthens our commitment to UK manufacturing and provides our trade customers with more high-quality kitchen and joinery products at the best local price, while always being in stock.”

Once fully commissioned the company will manufacture over two million kitchen door frontals and decor ends in high gloss finishes. Jobs created will include machinists and engineering technicians.

Following his tour, during which Mr Davis met apprentices and the on-call fire service, as well as hearing how the company achieved carbon-neutral manufacturing at its key manufacturing sites in Howden and Runcorn last year, the Conservative MP said: “Howdens is a fantastic success story, providing quality products, and creating jobs and opportunities with this welcome investment in the region.”

The £2 billion business was founded in 1995, starting with 14 depots. It has now delivered more than six million fitted kitchens to the UK market, and has 800 depots nationwide, while also opening in France and Belgium. It recently reported its busiest trading period ever.

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