2019 proved to be an incredibly busy and exciting time here at HPP: we introduced new product lines and our existing ranges were added to; services were enhanced and extended and as always, several large cranes were spotted on site during the year, delivering new machinery.
The year started with a significant event: the opening of our new Vinyl Doors production line. The launch of the new facility successfully capped a period of extensive investment in our storage facilities (most notable being our worktop warehouse) whereby the additional space created allowed the production line to be created alongside our existing vinyl door production area. We hosted some important guests during the launch event - people and businesses that had made the project possible, as well as those that shared our goal of championing manufacturing excellence in Oldham.
As well as adding to our production capacity, we also introduced new décors throughout the year. PerfectSense, Egger's premium range of lacquered boards received a boost of five new colours in gloss and matt formats, we extended our Aspire Doors range by adding twelve new décors and we introduced nine new décor finishes to our Avanti Stock Doors. Extra décors were also added during the year to our Cut & Edged selections, reflecting the best-selling options from our Aspire range.
Aside from sheet material, we announced we'd be stocking Blum's Space Tower Slim, ideal for kitchens and multifunctional kitchens and smaller, urban living spaces, only requiring a 300mm gap for a perfect fit. And towards the end of the year we were excited to stock the new Kronodesign range of worktops - over 50 décor options, ranging from classic to contemporary including woodgrains, stones, marbles, steels and concretes.
During 2019 we launched new editions of our 'A Unique Choice' kitchen and bedroom brochures, with up-to-date collections, door and décor options throughout. As an additional option, we were able to offer custom covers, personalised with a customer's business name & logo on the front and back covers. The result? Smart, professional and individual company-branded brochures, designed to create a first class impression for those trade customers who chose this option when dealing with their end-consumers.
Further marketing tools introduced during the year included a new handle sample service, allowing samples of handles to be sent direct to end-consumers, under the 'A Unique Choice' brand. This brought our vast handles range in line with our sample doors and vinyl swatches - giving end-consumers the best look and feel of their final kitchen or bedroom installation. As previously mentioned we'd added new décors to our Avanti Stock Doors, and this naturally lead to the inclusion of the new décors in our improved Sample Service Dashboard.
Early in 2019 we showcased a series of new corporate videos, bringing new and existing trade customers up-to-date with what we do and how we do it. Our last corporate video was released in 2012, and a considerable amount of change within the business has happened in that time. We wanted to show how HPP has grown since it was started in 1991, the technology we use and the high quality services we offer.
We continued our close involvement with some of our key suppliers throughout 2019. A longstanding Platinum partnership with Egger gave us the platform from which to announce a unique service: processing full sheets from the entire Egger Decorative collection into made-to-measure doors or cut-to-specification orders. Other key supplier links were reaffirmed with HPP visits to Blum in Austria for a factory tour and to see some of the latest product developments, and a tour of the improved and extended production facilities at Kronospan in Chirk.
And in keeping with previous years we took some time to support and engage with the local community and wider KBB audience, something we're looking to continue doing into 2020. We supported Mahdlo, Oldham's Youth Zone centre for youngsters in our local borough by taking part in their sponsored Three Peaks of Saddleworth Challenge, a 16-mile trek on some incredibly challenging terrain, as well as sponsoring their annual Star Awards in March.
HPP also took part in the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards held in Manchester, being one of the Sustainability Partners sponsoring the launch of an initiative to highlight sustainable practices in the KBB industry. It gave us an opportunity to showcase our own progress in adopting environmentally sustainable initiatives across the business.
As HPP continued to grow and develop throughout 2019, so did the requirement for new staff. We introduced our apprentices to the wider audience and then in September we took part in the Oldham Job Fair. We were able to demonstrate the job opportunities and careers available at HPP, and the emphasis on training and staff support.
We finished 2019 with the unfortunate news that our Sheffield site had been badly affected by the floods that had caused severe disruption to many homes and businesses in the South Yorkshire area. The site was closed for several days until the water had receded enough for staff to be able to return and start the clean-up process. Whilst we've been able to resume deliveries from the site, the Sheffield trade counter remains closed until further notice, as the flood damage requires a total refit.
We are in no doubt that 2020 will be just as busy, with new products, developments and enhancements to our service and facilities, so there are several options to keep up to date with our progress. Sign up to our newsletter below, check our latest news on the HPP website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
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