Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Housewares supplier What More UK hosted a visit from celebrity chef Tom Kerridge earlier this week.
On Tuesday (April 19), the presenter of new BBC2 spin-off series ‘Bake Off: Crème de la Crème’ toured the Lancashire company’s head offices and showrooms in Padiham and manufacturing and distribution centre in Altham.
Although predominantly a manufacturer of plastic household products under the Wham brand, What More UK recently diversified into manufacturing bakeware, after buying presses and moulds from Burnley firm George Wilkinson. Having set up a tool room at its Altham plant, What More UK is now able to design bakeware, fabricate the moulds and manufacture the range.
What More offers than extensive collection of Wham Cook non-stick and vitreous enamel coated bakeware, along with an associated range of kitchen utensils and gadgets.
Tom is a strong supporter of British-made goods and works closely with The Great British Exchange, an organisation which actively promotes Made in Britain products to retailers.
What More UK director Tony Grimshaw said: “Tom spent most of the day with us and seemed very impressed with the scale of our manufacturing operation and the fact that we can take a product from outline concept to consumer-ready, all in-house.
“He was very interested in the What More story, from starting out in a ‘Nissen hut’ in Huncoat in 1999 to where we are today, employing around 240 people, exporting to 64 countries and the proud holder of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
“I think he was a little overwhelmed at our warehousing operation, which holds around £8 million of stock ready for distribution across the UK and worldwide.”
Tony said What More UK had been delighted to host Tom for the day and that he had proved a real hit with employees, taking an interest in all aspects of the business and making time to chat with everyone he met.
L-r: members of the What More UK team Laura Duncan, Ben Wadeson, Laura Preston and Adam Wilkinson with Tom Kerridge (second from left)
