Lancashire housewares manufacturer and exporter, What More UK, is planning a brand new 200,000 sq. ft. factory adjacent to its existing site in Altham as part of a £20m investment plan.
The proposed building, which is currently awaiting planning permission, will increase the firm’s overall floor space by around 40%. Three quarters of the new development will be given over to manufacturing capacity. This will also require a similar increase in staffing levels.
What More UK is one of the largest and most important houseware manufacturers in the UK. It’s the organisation behind the popular brand Wham, available in every major UK supermarket and a further 1600 independent retailers.
Miles Parkinson OBE, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, commented:
“We welcome this development from What More UK. They’re one of the top employers in Hyndburn and we’re proud to have such a progressive company here on our doorstep. They’ve made a great contribution to the local economy and with this latest piece of news it looks set to grow in the future.”
Directors at What More UK see investments of this kind as an ongoing process. Company Director Tony Grimshaw OBE, explained:
“At What More we never stay still. We’re always trying to keep one step ahead of the competition, and the way to do that is through continual investment in machines, estate, and people.”
The new building project is part of a £20m investment programme including 13 new injection moulding machines, 5 of which have already arrived at What More’s existing factory with a further 8 scheduled for delivering in the coming months.
Antony Higginbotham, MP for Burnley, commented:
“I welcome the news that What More UK is investing in a new factory in Pennine Lancashire, the traditional heartland of British Manufacturing. Companies like What More UK prove that manufacturing is alive and well in the UK, and continuing to offer quality employment in Burnley, Padiham and surrounding areas.”
Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, added:
“What More UK isn’t just investing in Hyndburn, it’s investing in UK PLC. This is an exemplary organisation that exports British made products all around the world, each proudly displaying a Made in Britain logo.”
What More UK manufactures storage boxes and housewares of all kinds including bakeware, around-the-sink items, products for the home laundry, utility room, and items for the garden like planters and troughs. What More’s products are all made here in East Lancashire and are sold in 75 countries around the world.
