KITCHEN RANGES & COMPONENTS Chris Wragg
PWS
Matt Broughton spoke with PWS Group Managing Director, Chris Wragg, about the events of 2025, and how he is settling into his new role.
KU last spoke to PWS in March of this year, so my first question to Group Managing Director, Chris Wragg, regards how the rest of the year has been for the company.. “It’s been an exciting and busy year for PWS,” Chris explains. “We set a new commercial strategy that is driving strong sales performance, particularly across our core doors, Worksurfaces and Paint businesses. Despite a challenging economic climate, we’re achieving growth well ahead of the wider market and growing market share, which is something we’re very proud of. “Personally, it has to be my appointment to Group Managing Director. Leading such a wonderful family business, now in its fifth generation, and the brilliant people who work here, is a real honour and I’m incredibly excited by the opportunities ahead.” 2025 was all about recruiting new customers and re-engaging customers who might have lapsed in the last few years by introducing them to the market-leading product and service propositions that PWS can offer to grow their own businesses.
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Chris explains: “For example, we launched our Paint Plus initiative, which was all about making it easy to try our paint service – four of our most popular door families, and all within a stocked lead time and at a stocked price which has been a huge success.
“We also had a big focus on getting back to leading the market on innovation and introduced several new product ranges, including Mornington Oak, which blends the timeless character of timber with a fresh, modern aesthetic. We also expanded our Vale range with Mornington Beaded Vale, offering customers an affordable alternative to a true in-frame door.” Right now, PWS’s focus is firmly on continuing that successful product and service innovation ahead of the 2026 Directory launch early next year. “We’ve got some exciting new ranges in development that we can’t wait to share. “We’re also preparing to launch a brand-new trade website, which will make it easier than ever for customers to specify and order products, while offering enhanced inspiration to help them curate and design beautiful and functional kitchens and bedrooms.
“Within the business, we’ve been working hard to develop a strong people-focused agenda, built around a new set of group values and behaviours. These were shaped by our employees and will guide how we work together and continue to service our customers with excellence going forward.” I ask Chris if there have been any surprises this year that have changed the course of the company’s efforts? “The success of Paint Plus exceeded our initial expectations and the demand for our Paint-to-Order service remains very strong. Meeting that level of increased demand has been challenging, and the lead time is still
higher than I would like, but we have refused to compromise the high standards of quality that our customers associate with PWS. We’re hard at work installing additional capacity that should make a big difference into the New Year. “We’re also seeing a big growth in our Worksurfaces business. With recent headlines around Silicosis and safe production practices, the industry is increasingly consolidating around well invested suppliers who can guarantee the highest production and safety standards right through their supply chain. “
I ask Chris what other changing are ‘shaking up’ the sector at the moment, and he tells me it’s a challenging market, with rising inflation and the cost of living continuing to affect consumer confidence. “That said, we’re seeing really encouraging signs of growth. It proves that our long-held and very mutual ethos of helping our customers to win business and grow, supported by our innovative products and service will always be very resilient, even in tough times.”
Sustainability
Over recent years, PWS has launched several initiatives that deliver real environmental and commercial benefits, as Chris explains: “We’ve
measured our CO2 emissions across energy use, waste, and travel, achieving a -1.9% reduction from 2024. Our move to water-based paint has significantly reduced VOC emissions while maintaining a premium finish.
“At our state-of-the-art worksurface factory, all water used in production is recycled and reused, and we’re proud to offer the world’s first Zero Carbon worksurfaces.
“We’ve also been Planet Mark certified for the second consecutive year, an external verification of our ongoing commitment to improving our sustainability performance.”
The next year promises further innovation
from PWS, with some exciting new ranges on the way. “We’ll continue focusing on what makes PWS unique – our purpose to bring design-led dreams to reality through our market-leading supply solutions, innovative products, and exceptional service.
“I’m genuinely excited about the year ahead. There’s so much opportunity for us as a business, and personally, I’m really looking forward to meeting more of our valued customers.”
22 BKU NOVEMBER 2025
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