Howdens bids to up consumer profile while keeping costs under control

5th March | kitchens | Trade kitchen supplier Howdens says it will take measures to increase its consumer profile as it looks to improve sales lost as a result of the planned ending of its relationship with failed retail chain MFI.

Group revenue at parent firm Galiform dropped from £976.5m in 2007 to £805.7m in 2008 although Howden Joinery depot sales increased from £768.4m to £782.9m. 20 new Howden depots opened in 2008 although no more are planned for this year.

The year on year headcount at the company also fell from 6,548 to 5,782. The firm says it will carry out further trade and consumer press advertising, together with investing in product development, as it looks to increase end user awareness of the brand.

Like for like UK depot sales in the first two periods of 2009 have fallen 10.6%, but chief executive Matthew Ingle believes the firm is well placed, saying they ‘will benefit from reduced capacity in the market and increased end user awareness of Howdens.’

Related Story
Christmas cheer for kitchen firm as it reduces rental liability on former MFI stores