More than 500 visitors from businesses large and small attended HPX 2023, which boasted an illustrious line-up of stands showcasing the latest developments and products from some of the industry's biggest names.

This year's event will emulate that same format but with more exhibition space and featuring more partners and products when we return to the Village Hotel Manchester on Friday 25th September.

And following feedback from exhibitors and visitors last time round, this year's event will feature minibus excursions to our production plant and other facilities in nearby Oldham, from where we have been making and supplying board, doors, fittings and accessories for the fitted furniture market for over 35 years.

Our exhibitors will again include Blum, one of the world's leading manufacturers of fittings for high-quality kitchens and furniture, chipboard producers Kronospan and EGGER, Sensio Lighting, Reginox sinks and taps, the ArtiCAD visualisation platform and VIBO wireworks and storage solutions.

Joining them this time are Karndean luxury flooring, our newest trading partner, valued long term partner Decorative Panels, TruBlue cloud-based software providers for the KBB industry, and the Soudal Group, the largest independent European manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and polyurethane foams, whose team will be giving product demonstrations.

KBN Weekly will be there too as our official media partner. The digital platform has evolved from the print publication Kitchens & Bathrooms News to provide KBB retailers, designers and manufacturers with a faster, more responsive source for industry updates, product trends, and business advice.

Also exhibiting again is Cornerstone Design & Marketing, the full-service creative agency based in Lees, which has been our marketing and PR partner since 2011 whose collaborations with us over the years have benefited every area of our business.

Our charity partner this year is Maggie's Cancer Centre in Oldham - part of a national network giving support and information to cancer patients, their families and friends - and a regular beneficiary of charitable activities here at HPP.

We'll be asking exhibitors and visitors alike to support a charity auction to raise funds towards Maggie's services that include practical advice about money worries, nutrition, exercise, wills and legacies, while emotional support includes dealing with a diagnosis, handling treatment, and dealing with the associated stress.

Dan Mounsey, our Marketing and Business Development Director, says: "Those who attended HPX 2023 will know it was a great success, and we are confident that HPX 2026 will be even bigger and better.

"Our thanks go to all our exhibitors - old and new - and to KBN Weekly for their support. Our unique position in the market allows us to curate a collection of our industry's leading brands, all under one roof - giving them the ideal platform to showcase their products and services to a highly targeted and relevant audience.

"It's hard to believe it's been three years since the last HPX, and what a period it's been. Few would argue that it's been a challenging time for our industry, set against a backdrop of reduced consumer confidence and suppressed activity. But we remain strong, optimistic and we hope HPX 2026 will deliver a feel-good factor that better times lay ahead."

To book tickets for HPX 2026, visit our dedicated page here.

All four trucks are 18-tonne, twin-axle, curtain-sided Scanias boasting the latest Euro 6 diesel engines, meaning their exhaust emissions are as environmentally compliant as possible.

Most obvious of all however is they are the first 18-tonne vehicles to be kitted out with our new company branding. We've had new door vans recently and they've been given the new branding 'glow-up' but these trucks are very different, being fully coloured with liveried curtains, rear doors and cabs. After 14 years of the 'old' branding, these new trucks with their updated livery certainly stand out, making for a significant presence on the roads.

Since 1992, new vehicles have had to meet a certain Euro emissions standard when they are made, as part of the global strategy to improve air quality. As the name suggests, Euro 6 is the sixth - and latest - directive to help reduce the level of harmful pollutants produced by vehicles powered with diesel and petrol engines, and hybrids using petrol or diesel alongside an electric power unit.

Director Andy Evans, our fleet decision-maker, explains more: "Even though the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone scheme with traffic charging has now been abandoned - in favour of a regional investment-led, non-charging Clean Air Plan, with bus fleet electrification, clean taxi upgrades and local traffic measures - we're continuing to replace older fleet vehicles with more efficient, up-to-date trucks.

"These brand new liveried trucks are not only a significant investment but they're also a commitment to our sustainability strategy as well as being a very visible presence on the road, a fantastic addition to our rebranding programme.

In addition to the new 18 tonne trucks, we've also just taken delivery of four brand-new electric forklift trucks, replacing four seven-year old gas-powered trucks.

We currently have 18 forklift trucks across our Oldham site, a mixture of different types, styles and capacities.

These new lithium battery forklift trucks have state-of-the-art energy systems that are not only highly efficient, but they also protect both people and the environment, being completely emission-free during operation, helping us maintain our sustainability targets.

Linde Material Handling’s lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system is designed for electric forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, providing high energy efficiency, fast opportunity charging, and increased truck availability. Compared with conventional lead-acid batteries, the system offers lower maintenance requirements, eliminates battery watering and battery changes, and can improve overall energy efficiency by around 30% when used with Linde’s integrated charger and battery management system. Safety is enhanced through integrated battery management and robust battery protection features.

At the end of their service life, Linde supports battery recycling through a partnership with Li-Cycle. The recycling process can handle most lithium battery types, including damaged batteries, and recovers valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and other metals for reuse in new batteries. Linde states that up to 95% of battery metals can be recovered. In addition, batteries that no longer meet forklift performance requirements may be repurposed for second-life stationary energy storage applications before being recycled. This approach supports a circular economy and reduces the environmental impact of battery production and disposal.

The transition has been two years in the planning, with Gareth first stepping up from Sales Director to become Deputy MD to work alongside Keith back in May 2024.

"I'm extremely pleased and proud in equal measure," says Gareth, who first joined HPP when it was in its infancy 34 years ago. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would end up here when I look back on almost 35 years after coming for an interview with Stephen Hill!

"It is a privilege to take over from Keith, who taught me so much about this business, and the industry we work in, over the time we've worked together, and I'd like to thank him for his support and guidance over the past 20 years, or more.

"Thanks also to Martin and Stephen for putting their trust in me - I look forward to building on the success we've achieved and working with our directors Dan (Mounsey, Marketing and Business Development), Andy (Evans, IT) and the wider team to make it happen."

"After around 44 years in the KBB industry, with over 24 years of this at HPP, it is with some sadness - and some delight - that I can announce it's finally time to start moving towards more of a support role and eventual retirement," says Keith.

"But what is great news is that I get to handover to who, I believe, will be one of the next great people to bring honesty, commitment and innovation to the industry and HPP.

"Gareth and I have worked together for over 20 years now and I trust him as a friend and as a person of sound business sense and commitment to the people who work with him, while always looking for ways to make the customer's journey a great one here at HPP.

"He has an outstanding knowledge of the KBB sector and has always pushed forward to make HPP become one of the most recognised names in the industry, looking at new products and new systems that make it easier for our customers to fulfil their business needs."

Gareth says his focus is now on maintaining HPP's steady, manageable growth: "We'll continue to embrace new technology to improve our systems but also service levels to customers and strive to set standards recognised as the benchmark for excellence in our sector," adds Gareth, an old boy of Crompton House School in Oldham.

He is also working with Keith, Dan, Andy and the wider team on the next HPX event in September, which will see our partner suppliers and businesses from all over the UK and Europe showcase their new products and systems in a repeat of the one-day expo that proved a huge success two years ago.

Congratulations to Gareth and best wishes to Keith on his step towards retirement… although no doubt he'll still be a regular visitor to the office for a while yet!

We're very excited to announce our involvement in a fantastic competition, in conjunction with our supplier Blum. They've got a Golden Ticket for each of their UK distribution partners - of which we're one - which means one of our lucky trade customers will win a trip for two to Vienna!

It's a very simple draw competition: to be in with a chance to win this amazing prize all you have to do is answer a simple question and purchase a Made-To-Measure drawer from HPP between 5th May and 1st June 2026.

It doesn't matter what drawer it is, whether it's a LEGRABOX pan drawer or a complete set of MERIVOBOX M Height drawers, each confirmed purchase will automatically get you an entry into the prize draw. It really is that simple!

One of our lucky trade customers will win a weekend escape for two to Vienna, one of Europe's most distinguished cities. From the imperial splendour of the Hofburg, the cultural richness of the Kunsthistorisches Museum to the vibrant energy of the Naschmarkt, it is a city that leaves an impression on all who visit.

The lucky winner and their 'plus one' will have the opportunity to explore the grand boulevards of the Ringstrasse, spend an evening at the Vienna State Opera, or simply take in the sights and sounds whilst enjoying a coffee in a centuries-old Vienna coffee house. Vienna really is a city of extraordinary elegance and cultural distinction, from the grandeur of the Schönbrunn Palace to the quiet charm of its historic wine taverns.

The important stuff:

• Every drawer purchased equals one entry into the prize draw
• Made-To-Measure drawers purchased online from our Blum Drawer Builder only
• Qualifying products must be purchased between 5th May 2026 and 1st June 2026
• Your entry will be applied automatically on order submission
• The winner will be chosen at random w/c 8th June 2026
• The prize includes two return economy flights from a UK airport, two nights in a hotel with breakfast included.
• Open to UK HPP trade customers aged 18+
• Full Terms and Conditions are available here

This is a fabulous competition from Blum and one of our trade customers is guaranteed to be the lucky winner of our Golden Ticket. We're very proud to be part of Blum's distributor network and honoured that we've got a Golden Ticket to give away!

Best of luck!

The wallet belonged to HPP's then Transport Supervisor Trevor Ross, and by setting about tracing the owner Phil began an act that would unexpectedly shape his future.

In the course of a conversation while handing over the wallet, Phil mentioned he was being made redundant from his job as a driver with a local textile firm, prompting Trevor to ask a simple question: did Phil hold a Class 2 HGV licence?

"I said yes, so Trevor said come and see us next week," explains Phil. "Within two weeks I'd been interviewed and started work. I've been there ever since. It was a stroke of good luck."

Phil is one of the latest employees to be recognised by our Long Service award scheme, along with Finance Director Richard Mottram, who joined HPP just three weeks before Phil.

Both men were congratulated by MD Keith Wardrope, who handed over a framed certificate, commemorative plaque, and vouchers to each recipient.

The scheme recognises lengths of service in five-year increments starting at five years, with the rewards increasing with each milestone and culminating in the 25-year award.

Richard first joined HPP as Company Accountant following a recommendation to speak to joint owners, Martin and Stephen Hill, by a mutual contact.

He became Finance Director over 25 years ago and says his biggest achievement is being part of the core management team that transformed the business from a modest annual turnover of £5m a year, just about breaking even, to the profitable £35m turnover business it is today.

"It was a fantastic opportunity and working alongside Stephen, Martin, Keith and Alan Bolton, Purchasing Director, we had the strength to develop and grow the business," says Richard. "It's great to see where we've got to and I hope in the years to come we'll be able to see that the people following us have driven and developed the business even further."

Richard, who lives with his wife Helen in Uppermill, is now working through a phased retirement, looking forward to having more time to travel.

Travel is also the agenda for driver Phil, from Bardsley, who is planning a weekend in Dublin to celebrate his wife Emma's birthday before organising their honeymoon following their wedding last October.

Over the years, Phil has witnessed how HPP's significant growth has changed his area of the business, with a fleet of six HGVs increasing to 16 to cater for the growing customer base.

Reflecting on his time at HPP, Phil emphasises the company culture as a key reason for his loyalty: "It's always felt like a family. Everyone gets on, and you're treated very well indeed.

"Even people who leave often come back, like my twin brother John has. He was here for 19 years before leaving, but he's back now. It's the type of company where you're welcomed with open arms."