Kitchen manufacturer grows its production capabilities and depot network

Howden Joinery Group, a specialist trade kitchen and joinery supplier with depots across Yorkshire, has reported an encouraging performance in its 2024 half year results.

It recorded revenues of £966.3m, which were 4.3% ahead of last year, along with profit before tax of £112.3m, which was in line with last year after £16m worth of investment in strategic initiatives during half one.

Howden has also reported a strong balance sheet with £165.5m of cash at the end of the period.

Andrew Livingston, chief executive, said the business had managed to gain market share in a challenging marketplace.

He added: “We continued to invest in our strategic initiatives which is strengthening our differentiated business model and delivering positive results.

“We are focused on the significant growth opportunities in our core UK kitchen and joinery markets. To access these, we are progressing our new depot and reformat programme and making range and product innovations.

“We are also manufacturing more of what we sell and, alongside the provision of unequalled stock availability, we are adding further digital capabilities to support our trade customers and depot teams.”

Howden says it plans to open about 30 new UK locations and around five more international depots this year. Since the start of the year, it has already opened 10 new depots.

In an update on its depot revamps and relocations programme, the business says it completed 26 of these projects in the period and expects to finish around 85 this year.

In terms of its manufacturing expansion, the business says it is expanding its capabilities and capacity.

This year the company’s new kitchen frontal and end-panel line at its Howden site will produce around two million pieces – up from 600,000 in 2023.