NEWS | Round-up
Johnson Tiles to cease UK manufacturing, impacting 105 jobs
STAFFORDSHIRE-BASED MANUFACTURER Johnson Tiles is closing its production facility in Tunstall to move to an outsourced production model, describing it as “increasingly unsustainable” to manufacture tiles in the UK. According to the company, affected members of
staff have been consulted about the facility’s closure, with 105 production roles being impacted. Johnson Tiles has designed and manufactured ceramic and porcelain tiles in the UK since 1901. The company now plans to build on its established import business to continue supplying products that are “competitive, quality [and] on-trend”, that meet high “ethical, environmental and social standards”. The company says it also has capability to design- match any products manufactured in the UK to meet ongoing project requirements, which is also aided by higher-than-average levels of product stock. The closure was announced following a successful
buyout of the business led by the current Johnson Tiles management team, for a sum of one million pounds Previously, the company was part of the
will assume full control of the company from the start of June.
Johnson Tiles says the buyout has the full support of both parties, with both Norcros and the Johnson Tiles team believing it to be the best way to protect the brand through the current challenging economic period, as well as prepare it for future growth. However, “an extensive review of the company’s
existing operations” led to the management team’s proposal to move the business to an entirely outsourced production model.
Stephen Dixon, managing director of Johnson
Norcros Group, the parent company of brands such as Triton Showers, Merlyn, Vado, Grant Westfield and Abode.
Following the buyout, Johnson Tiles will now operate as its own independent and separate company.
Its UK management team — managing director Stephen Dixon, commercial director Rich Kelsall and procurement director Jason Bridges —
Haier rebrands and unveils new connected appliance “brain”
APPLIANCE COMPANY Haier – which also owns the brands Hoover and Candy – has announced it is changing its name, in addition to unveiling a new connected smart appliance system that runs on solar energy. Going forwards, Haier will now be known as “Haier Smart Home”. According to Haier Smart Home’s chief commercial officer, Jim McEwan, the new name reflects the company’s ongoing focus on the emerging smart home appliance sector. He commented: “Haier is the largest manufacturer domestic
of app–
liances in the world, and we’ve ranked number one for the last 15 years. We have global scale behind us, and that’s led to a lot of
technological
advances. “We’re now Haier Smart Home, so we’re starting to
bring together our brands and our platforms to really take the business in a new direction. There’s a new mindset now about what we stand for as an organisation, and what we want to bring to the market, and that’s all about connectivity.”
McEwan also explained that the company’s focus going forwards will be to establish its position as the leading household name for appliances. He explained: “Haier, as a brand, is not the most well-known brand in the market – we know that. We have a job to do around raising the recognition of the brand. To do that, we know we need to invest, so this year, we’re going
6
to be investing more money in the Haier brand than ever before.”
According to McEwan, this will involve increasing the company’s media spending by 400% compared to last year. Part of this investment will be distributed across television advertising, and sponsorship of major tennis tournaments, such as the French Open. The company also revealed it has developed a new connected smart home appliance called the Haier Smart Cube that runs on solar energy.
Haier says the
Smart Cube can be installed in homes, and works as an inverter and battery for solar power, which is converted to energy and used to run connected home appliances, which can be controlled
through
the company’s app. Solar energy coll– ected from the Smart Cube can
also be used to power an electric vehicle charger. Haier Smart Home’s internet of things (IoT) and ecosystems director, Leon Doyle, explained: “All of these new products are connected and great, but we really need a heartbeat and a brain for the home to manage it all. That’s why we’re introducing our brand new patented Smart Cube. “We’re the only manufacturer to provide absolutely
everything, turnkey, in one app – so that’s one app, one home, and one manufacturer. We’re really thrilled with this new launch, it’s a game-changer, and it’s not been seen before.”
KBB SUPPLIER Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) has promoted sales director Gareth Evans to the position of deputy managing director. Evans first started at HPP over 32 years ago, but has twice departed the company to gain industry experience at different levels. This has included roles at companies such as Kronospan and Wilsonart. However, Evans says he has been drawn back to the company several times because of its people and culture. He commented: “Out of the places I’ve
worked, HPP is been happiest.
“I know that saying the people is bit of a ‘cliché’, but at HPP it’s true —
it’s one of our biggest
strengths, there’s a hand shake, fist pump, even a hug, everywhere you go.
“Having the opportunity to work with Keith
[Wardrope, HPP MD] has helped me understand not just the industry, but how to deal with certain situations. We have a close working relationship which has enabled me to grow as a person. In his new role as deputy MD, Evans will work to ensure the company maintains steady and manageable growth. According to Evans, the company will work to embrace new technology to improve its systems and service levels.
• June 2024 the place I have always
Ties, comments: “We are, of course, making this announcement with very mixed feelings, acutely aware of what this means for our colleagues and what it says about UK manufacturing as a whole. “It is with a heavy heart that we are looking to stop production at the Stoke plant but the cost of making tiles in this country - despite ongoing investment - has become increasingly unsustainable. “We have a great sourcing business and, together with our strong design and customer service capabilities, we are well placed for the future.
HPP names long- serving director as deputy MD
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