Good times roll for wallpaper manufacturer
Graham & Brown, the Blackburn-based wallpaper manufacturer whose range includes collaborations with top designers, has seen annual sales rise thanks to a renaissance in the product in the UK and growing overseas demand.
The family-owned company, which was founded in Blackburn in 1946, has reported turnover up 3% to £74.8m (2015: £72.8m) and profits up 4% to £2.5m (2015: £2.4m).
The company, which exports to 75 countries, has seen online sales of its products grow at over 30% a year.
Today, it opens its House of Wallpaper in Soho to coincide with London Fashion Week.
The four-storey house, which includes a pop up restaurant in collaboration with Michelin star chef Pedro Passinhas, will also host talks from collaborating designers such as Barbara Hulanicki, Wayne Hemmingway and Kelly Hoppen on interior design followed by a “wallpaper party” hosted by Julien MacDonald.
Graham & Brown will be exhibiting new ranges as well as pieces from its 30,000-strong archive.
Andrew Graham, chief executive of Graham & Brown – the third generation of the families to run the business – said: “Wallpaper is undergoing a renaissance in the UK with consumers looking to bring more colour, texture and design into their lives. Advances in technology – like “paste the wall” – have also made the process so much easier and quicker.
“Abroad, we’re also seeing growing demand for British-made, design-led products, particularly in the Far East, South American and India.
“We delivered another year of solid sales growth last year, thanks to a continuing focus on quality, innovation and design in our product, a clear digital strategy in our sales and distribution, and major investment in our brands.
“We also increased our manufacturing efficiency and reduced operating costs, which improved cash generation and profitability.
“This was crucial heading into 2017, as it’s given us the firepower to continue investing in areas that are driving growth. Further investment in IT for our fast-growing ecommerce business, great talent across our teams and a major national advertising campaign on TV and radio to promote Super Fresco Easy to help grow the DIY wallpaper market.”
