Workplace furniture specialist celebrates turning 40 with record £30m revenue
GRESHAM, one of the UK’s largest independent designers and manufacturers of workplace furniture, is celebrating its 40th birthday this month and is set to achieve a record £30m turnover by the end of the financial year.
Launched in 1976 from a garden shed in Bolton, the family-run business has increased turnover by 8% in the past last 12 months on the back of an ambitious business development strategy which included a re-brand, product launches and expansion into new markets.
Boasting a 300-strong workforce, and a 180,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and headquarters in Horwich, Gresham also has premises in the design district of London, Clerkenwell, and serves the Middle East via a distributor network.
Commissioned as part of Gresham’s birthday celebrations, the business has made significant investments this year to support the introduction of the Gresham Design Collection, as well as developing relationships in new markets and strengthening Gresham Bespoke, a service line giving customers the opportunity to procure one-off pieces made to specific requirements.
In addition, £1.4m has been invested in Gresham’s production plant in the form of state-of-the-art equipment to improve quality and processes, and in the acquisition of an adjacent site at Platinum Park which will allow for further expansion over the next few years.
Julian Roebuck, managing director at Gresham Office Furniture, said: “Gresham was launched by my father-in-law 40 years ago with a concept design for a new desk.
“Since then the business has grown steadily making a name for itself in the contracts furniture market and now manufactures over 9,000 desks, workplace chairs, tables, screens and storage solutions per week.
“However, in reaching this latest milestone we felt it was time to make some exciting changes to help drive the business forward.
“The introduction of new branding and the Gresham Design Collection, we hope will be a more attractive proposition for the architect and interior design community, a market that we have previously had limited success in.
“We are incredibly proud of our northern roots and this is cemented by the continued investment in our Bolton HQ. Our showroom is currently undergoing a refurbishment to improve the overall visitor experience and we look forward to welcoming colleagues, industry partners and clients to the new space for some birthday cake very soon.”
Gresham Office Furniture boasts a portfolio of soft seating, task chairs, desks, occasional tables, screens and storage systems all designed and manufactured in Bolton.
