Oldham-based kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms manufacturer and supplier, Hill’s Panel Products (HPP), has announced a new managing director.
Gareth Evans is taking over as the MD of the company from the long-serving MD Keith Wardrope, who is stepping back from the role after leading the family-owned business with brothers Martin and Stephen Hill for almost 25 years.
The transition has been two years in the planning, with Mr Evans first stepping up from Sales Director to become Deputy MD to work alongside Mr Wardrope.
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Mr Evans, who first joined HPP 34 years ago, said: “I’m extremely pleased and proud in equal measure. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would end up here when I look back on almost 35 years after coming for an interview with Stephen Hill.
“It is a privilege to take over from Keith, who taught me so much about this business, and the industry we work in, over the time we’ve worked together, and I’d like to thank him for his support and guidance over the past 20 years, or more.”
Mr Wardrope said his decision to move towards a support role and eventual retirement was made "with some sadness and some delight".
He added: “Gareth and I have worked together for over 20 years now and I trust him as a friend and as a person of sound business sense and commitment to the people who work with him, while always looking for ways to make the customer’s journey a great one here at HPP.”
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HPP, based on Scottfield Road near Alexandra Park, supplies board, doors, components and accessories for the fitted furniture industry, particularly kitchens and bedrooms.
It employs about 200 people, distributes nationwide and is a trading partner with some of the biggest brands in the sector.
Mr Evans said his focus is now on maintaining HPP’s steady, manageable growth, saying: “We’ll continue to embrace new technology to improve our systems but also service levels to customers and strive to set standards recognised as the benchmark for excellence in our sector,” adds Gareth, an old boy of Crompton House School in Oldham.
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