2017 was an incredibly busy and exciting year here at HPP; there was always something new being developed, products being showcased and at least one crane involved at some point!
So here's a recap of some of the events from 2017 at HPP!
In reviewing our furniture handles range, we decided to bring in an additional 43 styles, more than doubling our handle range. We also introduced online filtering options to make it easier to search on the HPP website for that perfect handle. To create the extra capacity for the handles and to further streamline our Fittings Department, we also added three new Kardex machines to join our existing two units. There's a snazzy time lapse video of their installation here on our Facebook Page.
As well as bringing in many of the new MFC boards introduced throughout the year from our suppliers such as Kronospan, Pfleiderer and XyloCleaf, we strengthened our position in the KBB industry by becoming an Egger Platinum distributor, meaning we now carry the majority of the Egger MFC range. With the expanded Egger range came some new high capacity racking. 2017 also saw the launch of Egger's Decorative Collection 2017-2019, featuring a core of nine distinct style ranges.
Staying with MFC board, we also doubled our XyloCleaf board range: HPP is one of the UK's leading suppliers of this premium board range. Not only is XyloCleaf MFC extremely tough and durable thanks to its manufacturing process but it also has some stunning textures.
We introduced the Slim Storage System - a minimalistic aluminium profile and component arrangement for creating room dividers, wall shelving units and ceiling-supported storage elements, all designed to be fitted with MFC components such as shelves and cabinets. It's a smart looking, practical and adaptable set-up, almost too good to hide away but perfectly at home behind some of our Glide sliding doors!
The Blum Space Tower landed at HPP early in 2017, with our very own display unit being installed in our Trade Counter in Oldham, putting us firmly on the Blum Landmark distributor map. The Space Tower offers a premium flexible storage option, with all the superior strength and engineering from using quality Blum components.
In September we introduced our pre-assembled Drawer Packs, easily ordered with one code and using Antaro and Legrabox components. With a vast range of configurations, these have proved to be a big hit with our trade kitchen fitters.
We joined up with Blanco for a unique supplier partnership, offering a selection of their sink and taps, bundled together in easy-to-select packs. Known throughout the KBB industry for their quality and attention to detail, the Blanco selection from HPP reinforces our position as a key KBB distributor. With a core offering of three tap designs and five sink styles (including stainless steel, traditional ceramic and modern composite), these are generating a lot of interest with our trade customers as an option to offer to their end-customers.
As well as continuing to offer a range of taps and sinks from Reginox, we also now offer the Amanzi Instant Boiling Water Tap. Developed to cater for the booming market in this area taps, the stylish Amazi tap is perfectly at home in any kitchen installation.
We added six new styles of vinyl kitchen and bedroom doors to our already extensive Aspire range (Caraway, Johnson, Juliette, Linea, Ribble and Sutton), taking our offering to 46 styles. When combined with the 60 décor choices available, there's enough variety in shape, style and colour for practically any application, for any customer.
We introduced our 'A Unique Choice' brochures and accompanying website early in 2017. Featuring our latest roomset images along with many of our core product ranges, the 'A Unique Choice' brand was developed to assist our trade customers in showcasing HPP products outside of a trade-orientated setting.
Increased demand for component and Cut-to-Specification work lead to a new CNC / router machine being delivered and installed in August. It wasn't long before it was commissioned and put straight to work.
As the business continued to grow in 2017, so did the requirements for suitably talented people to help refine our internal processes and procedures. With our range now exceeding 6500 products, it's critical that the ordering system and production streams work in harmony. To that end, amongst other staff throughout the business, we recruited two new IT System Developers, who hit the ground running mid-year, and between them have made considerable progress in further perfecting our systems.
To cater for more delivery options, we strengthened our vehicle fleet. The new trucks and vans support our customer base by allowing deliveries to be more flexible, with a lower environmental impact than ever before, and they look good too: the perfect advert for HPP when out on the road.
During 2017 we took steps in reducing our reliance on polystyrene packing corners, which protect the corners of thousands of kitchen and bedroom door we make each month. Given the volume of doors we deliver to our customers every day, it was decided to make the switch to recycled, completely biodegradable pulped cardboard corners. It's been a relatively small operational change but with a significant environmental benefit to HPP and its customers.
Work on expanding our warehousing facilities at both the Oldham and Sheffield sites continued throughout 2017. In Sheffield, the opportunity to acquire an additional 6000sq ft of warehousing space enabled us to carry a greater range of stock and strengthen our position for MFC products from this site. At our Oldham headquarters, work started on a relatively small extension to one of the older units, whilst preliminary groundworks got underway on a much larger development that we'll look to reveal soon!
We've got lots more planned for 2018 too, with new products, developments and enhancements to our service and facilities, so keep up to date with our progress. Sign up to our newsletter below, and follow HPP on Facebook and Twitter.