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Newsroom

From upcoming events to recent headlines, press enquiry information and new depot openings, this newsroom provides the latest updates and communications from Howdens. Within this hub, there is information on how to use our logo and who to contact for support when using our brand. There is also more about us, our values, and our vision as a business that is founded on the principle that it should be worthwhile for all. Our press office is always keen to hear about new opportunities to work with media outlets and details on how to contact Howdens can be found below.

Our Latest News

The Howdens Expo is now open to the public in two locations

See the latest kitchen trends and preview new products at our two Expo locations in Northamptonshire and Yorkshire. Whilst we only sell to the trade, everyone is welcome.
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The Howdens Expo

See the latest kitchen trends and preview new products at the Howdens Expo, which is now available in two locations. Whilst we only sell to the trade, everyone is welcome.

Opening Times

Tuesday – Saturday

9am – 5pm

Addresses

Howdens, Thorpe Road

Howden, Yorkshire

DN14 7PA

OR

The Yard, Raunds 2

100 Scalley Way, Warth Park Way

Northamptonshire

NN9 6RJ

What am I going to see?

The Howdens Expo showcases the latest Kitchen designs and new products, plus contemporary tweaks to classic styles that bring them up-to-date for 2024.

Our kitchen sets will be available to explore at your leisure and experienced designers and staff will be on hand to provide inspiration and answer any questions.

We're easy to find too. Our design studio is just off the M62, and under an hour from Leeds and York. Refreshments will be provided for all visitors, and there is free on-site parking.

Find out more
We're partnering with Movember to raise money for charity

We have partnered with men’s health charity, Movember. The partnership, which will run year-round, aim to assist the charity in raising vital funds.

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We're partnering with Movember to raise money for charity

We have partnered with men’s health charity, Movember. The partnership, which will run year-round, aim to assist the charity in raising vital funds.

Useful links

Previous Stories

Howdens collaborates with Microsoft to launch innovative new AI tool

Howdens, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, has announced the launch of Chip, a newly created AI tool that has been built with Microsoft AI technology.

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Howdens collaborates with Microsoft to launch innovative new AI tool

Howdens, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, has announced the launch of Chip, a newly created AI tool that has been built with Microsoft AI technology. The progressive new tool is an industry first that highlights a landmark moment in Howdens digital offering, reinforcing its commitment to championing trade customers with innovative solutions that support and drive efficiencies.

The technology, which is available exclusively to online trade account customers within the Howdens Trade App, has been designed to provide practical advice to make tradespeople’s jobs easier. From step-by-step installation and product guides to general support, Chip provides the trade with the information they need as and when it’s needed.

Chip is built on a variety of Microsoft’s leading generative AI technologies, which are designed to make AI implementations more accessible to retailers of all sizes. This includes Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure AI Search and Applied AI Services.

David Sturdee, Chief Customer Officer, Howdens, said:

"We are proud to announce the launch of our new AI tool ‘Chip’. Building on the existing functionality in our Trade App, this development marks an advancement in our digital offering. Built using Microsoft AI technology, the tool gives our trade account holders the option to access product and fitting support at the touch of a button, meaning we’re there for our trade customers wherever and whenever they need us.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft has enabled us to combine market-leading technology with our commitment to making life easier for our trade customers, to deliver an industry-first trade focused tool for them. Chip marks only the start of Howdens’ AI journey and we will continue to explore other ways AI can improve efficiencies for our customers.

“We will also continue to collaborate with Microsoft on the evolution of Chip, as it continues to evolve to meet the demands of our industry and trade customers.”

Olaf Akkerman, General Manager, Retail and Consumer, Microsoft, added:

“Retail is one of the most dynamic and competitive industries in the world, where customer expectations are constantly evolving. Microsoft has lowered the entry barrier to building generative AI solutions that improve customer experiences, support employees, and drive innovation. We are thrilled to be working with Howdens to put the power of AI into the hands of tradespeople across the country, enabling them to easily find the information they need, when it matters most.”

Chip is now available to online trade account customers using the Howdens Trade App.

For more information on Howdens trade app visit: https://www.howdens.com/help-and-advice/buying-from-us/trade-services/trade-app
Howdens extends partnership with British racing driver Andrew Watson

Howdens has announced the continuation of its partnership with British Racing driver Andrew Watson, ahead of the 2024 British Touring Car Championship.

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Howdens extends partnership with British racing driver Andrew Watson

We have announced the continuation of its partnership with British Racing driver Andrew Watson, ahead of the 2024 British Touring Car Championship.

Having first partnered with Watson in 2019, we have extended the partnership at the start of a new chapter for Watson, as he makes his debut in the British Touring Car Championship this season with CarStore Power Maxed Racing.

Watson has a wealth of racing expertise, having contested high-level GT machinery since 2015; examples include the FIA World Endurance Championship, the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, GT World Challenge Europe and British GT.

In over sixty years of competition, the BTCC has developed a reputation as a pioneering championship and that is no truer than in its current form. In 2022, the BTCC proudly became the first major touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power into all of its race cars.

Our vision is to become the UK's leading, responsible kitchen and joinery supplier. Acknowledging we have a big responsibility, we are working across its entire business to become more sustainable through its ‘Road to Zero’ programme. Recent achievements included the transition of its 800+ depots to renewable energy, reducing its CO2 emissions that its fleet emits through the introduction of HVO powered vehicles, and achieving zero waste to landfill across its manufacturing and logistics operations. Supporting a sporting series that is working to introduce greener technology in its operations is further evidence of this commitment.

Watson began his motor racing career at the age of 15, in the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, making regular podiums through to 2011.

Andrew Livingston, CEO, Howdens, said:

“We’re delighted to be once again partnering with Andrew. He’s been brilliant to work with and it’s been great to share in the success that he’s had on the track.

“We look forward to the strengthening of our partnership and a successful 2024 campaign.”

Andrew Watson adds:

“I’m delighted to continue working with Howdens for the 2024 season. We’ve enjoyed plenty of success together over the course of our partnership so far and I'm excited for it to continue and have their support at such an exciting time in my career.

“I look forward to working alongside them throughout the year as we push for success both on and off the track.”

Our Game Changer Programme is nominated for a Sports Business Award

We are very proud to announce that our Game Changer Programme has been nominated for the Sports Business Awards 2023.

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Howdens is nominated for a Sports Business Awards

We are proud to announce that our Game Changer Programme has been nominated for a Sports Business Award, under the "Best Sports Community or CSR Scheme - Football" category.

Our Game Changer Programme kicked off this year and supports grassroots football with clubhouse facilities that are at the heart of the community. Over three years, we will provide kitchens for 450 clubs, so that lower-league teams have a hub where both players and locals can congregate, nurture young talent, and keep the spirit of football alive.

Backed by football legends, Jill Scott, Chris Kamara, and Julie Fleeting, these club kitchens provide valuable funding opportunities for lower-league teams by giving them a place to serve drinks and food, so they become less reliant on external funding or player donations.

The Sports Business Awards launched in 2017 to recognise organisations for their efforts in supporting sport and sporting excellence.

Meghan O'Callaghan, Marketing Manager at Howdens said, "We're extremely excited to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Sports Community or CSR Scheme - Football. The Game Changer Programme enables us to give back to the local communities we serve.'

The awards will be held on Friday 10 November 2023 at the Hurlingham Club, London. All entries will be judged by a panel of experts, all of whom are Chief Executives of Sports Governing bodies.

Read more about the Sports Business Awards
Howdens sponsors a stage on the Tour of Britain

We are sponsoring a stage of the Tour of Britain, which runs through Howden. The tour is the UK's most prestigious cycle race, spanning eight days and 1,300km.

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Howdens sponsors a stage on the Tour of Britain

We are happy to announce that we will be an official stage partner of professional road cycling race, the Tour of Britain.

Stage 3 East Riding of Yorkshire: The Howdens Goole to Beverly Stage, will span the distance of the route from Goole to Beverley, starting from Goole at 11.30am on Tuesday 5th September, with cyclists expecting to arrive at York Road in Beverley just after 3.00pm on the same day.

The cyclists are expected to pass by our manufacturing site on Thorpe Road, Goole, around 11.45am where spectators will be welcome to gather to watch the racers pass by.

Claire Toomey, Head of Sustainability, Howdens, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the Tour of Britain 2023. The race has a huge history, and it’s a great honour to be sponsoring the Goole-Beverley stage as the cyclists travel through the East Riding of Yorkshire. It’s important to us to be able to support sporting, charity, and community events where we can.”

The Tour of Britain is the UK’s most prestigious cycle race, with sixteen of the world’s leading teams competing to win. The race will begin in Greater Manchester on Sunday September 3rd and span across eight days, with racers traveling over 1,300km passing through Wrexham, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Essex, and Gloucestershire.

We will be welcoming spectators to watch the start of The Howdens Goole to Beverly Stage of the race from its manufacturing site in Goole from 11am on the 5th September.

Howdens celebrates apprentices at milestone graduation ceremony

Howdens has held a graduation ceremony to honour 215 apprentices who completed their apprenticeship in 2022, a record for the business.

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Howdens celebrates apprentices at milestone graduation ceremony

We have held a graduation ceremony to honour 215 apprentices who completed their apprenticeship in 2022, a record for the business.

The award-winning apprenticeship programme covers roles across much of the business including within the network of over 800 depots, logistics, manufacturing, engineering and IT.

Graduates from across the UK celebrated at the NCC in Birmingham, with the ceremony hosted by two former apprentices, and talks from Howdens’ Chief Excecutive Officer, Andrew Livingston, Regional Director Wales and West, Tim Mason, and Operations Director, Julian Lee.

Since 2009, we have employed over 4,300 apprentices. Currently one in twelve of our employees started out as an apprentice, and of the programme completions last year, almost 80% of graduates remained in the business in a permenant role.

Emma Leech, Early Careers Manager, Howdens, said: “We are delighted to have been able to honour our apprentices at the graduation ceremony. At Howdens we are very proud of the graduates and our apprenticeship programme. We know it is the ideal way to develop people and to prepare them for a happy, productive, and rewarding career.

We find new staff who understand our special way of working and contribute to the continued growth of our business. Our commitment is to ensure our apprentices feel valued, secure, and in a position to make a long term career at Howdens. From the first days training, right through to the integration into the workplace, our apprentices receive a warm welcome from our teams who have a genuine passion for their role and the business.”

Our founding principle is to make its business worthwhile for all concerned, which Is why it works in partnership with carefully selected Apprenticeship Training Providers, enabling it to provide the highest possible standard of training. Howdens has opened up over 100 apprenticeship vacancies in its depots across the UK to be filled across the summer. For more information about opportunities within Howdens, please visit: https://careers.howdens.com/our-teams/apprenticeships
Scarborough tradesperson wins £38,000 van from Howdens

Jamie Exley, from Scarborough, has won a brand-new Ford Transit Van worth over £38,000 after winning a competition run by Howdens.

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Scarborough tradesperson wins £38,000 van from Howdens

Jamie Exley, from Scarborough, has won a brand-new Ford Transit Van worth over £38,000 after winning a competition run by the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, Howdens.

The competition ran between 5th September and 29th October nationwide. Any Howdens trade account customer who placed an order with a minimum value of £300 excluding VAT, which included a Lamona appliance, was automatically entered into the prize draw to win a van.

The top prize was a fully taxed 2022 Ford Transit 350 Van worth over £38,000, with an additional £500 put towards insurance. Howdens also offered five runners-up prizes of a Samsung Bespoke Jet Pro Extra Vacuum, and a further five runner-up prizes of £1,000 Howdens trade account credit.

Winner Jamie, of Exley Smith Electrical, said: “I can’t believe it; this came completely out of the blue! You hear about people winning these competitions, but I never thought I would, thank you Howdens!”

The competition was held in celebration of Howdens' Trade Event of the Year.

Howdens Scarborough depot manager, Philip Gibb, adds: “This was a nationwide competition across all Howdens depots, and we are delighted that it was one of our customers who won. It’s a great example of Howdens working in partnership with local builders and I'm very pleased to present Jamie with the keys to his brand-new van.”

Howdens’ range of Lamona appliances continues to be one of the most popular integrated appliance brands in the UK for homeowners, with products that address the demand for kitchen appliances that deliver on quality, style, versatility, and performance.

With cooking, refrigeration, and laundry products in the range there is an appliance for every kitchen no matter the style or budget. Each product has developed and designed by a leading team of experts, undergoing rigorous in-house testing to ensure the highest quality. With a three-year guarantee across the full range as standard; Lamona offers an enhanced offering compared to the industry standard of just two years.

Howdens also offers an industry-leading aftersales service on Lamona appliances, working with local engineers to deliver quick and accessible repairs.

Howdens wins UK Social Mobility Award for innovation

Howdens has won a UK Social Mobility Award for Innovation. The SOMO awards recognise action that promote and increase social mobility in UK companies.

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Howdens wins UK Social Mobility Award

We are pleased to announce that Howdens has won its first UK Social Mobility Award (SOMO) for Innovation. The SOMOs are a unique set of awards designed to recognise and encourage action that promotes and increases social mobility within UK companies.

Our award for Innovation acknowledges that Howdens is leading the way in supporting social mobility in new and innovative ways.

As a large employer, we pay £1.6 million every year to an apprenticeship levy. With this, we fund our own apprenticeship training and help other small businesses develop their own apprenticeship scheme.

This year, we invested 20 percent of our levy to fund construction apprenticeships in small businesses in some of the more deprived communities that we serve. The aim was to create jobs, support small businesses, fill a skills shortage in the construction industry, and improve social mobility for young people in our local communities.

Julian Lee, Operations Director, said: “Without great people nothing happens and therefore we are incredibly proud of our apprenticeship programme, developing skills for the future. By helping those businesses who are less able to fund apprenticeships, we hope we have made a positive difference to the lives and careers of young people in the communities we serve. Being recognised for our efforts by the UK Social Mobility Awards brings home the continued importance of our core principle - being worthwhile for all concerned.”
Howdens introduces HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into its fleet

We are attempting to reduce CO², with the landmark introduction of HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into the logistics fleet.

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Howdens introduces HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into its fleet

We have recently announced the introduction of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel (HVO fuel), alongside piloting electric trucks into our logistics fleet, in a landmark commitment to reduce CO².

First used for trucks refuelling at the Raunds distribution centre in Northamptonshire, HVO fuel is now used extensively across our logistics fleet. We have also committed to buying 350,000 litres of HVO before the end of 2022, with plans to increase volumes in coming years as the business strives towards sustainability targets.

Produced using hydrogenation and hydrocracking of vegetable oils and animal fats, HVO fuel produces 90% less CO²than diesel per litre.

Due to its versatility, HVO fuel is considered a ‘direct drop’ or ‘drop in’ solution, which can be used as a direct replacement, or in conjunction with, the fossil fuel diesel, without a requirement to adapt the trucks engine.

We have also been investigating zero-emission transport solutions and have begun a trial of electric trucks for part of the logistics operations. A DAF electric truck is being trialled, and we aim to implement at least three electric vehicles across sites by 2023. The vehicles will deliver on our XDC next day delivery service, with a 150-mile range.

Additionally, We are introducing six bio-liquid natural gas vehicles at our Raunds and Portbury sites, which work similarly to diesel vehicles, but with an 80% reduction in CO².

Gareth Sterland, Head of Transport at Howdens, said:

“The move towards HVO, LNG and Electric vehicles demonstrates our commitment to CO² reduction across our expanding fleet and network.

At Howdens, we understand what we must do and will absolutely deliver on our carbon reduction promises. As the UK’s leading supplier of kitchens to the trade we travel millions of kilometres every year and sustainable opportunities to improve and drive down our emissions are always being reviewed to find the best option for long term success and benefits to the local, national, and global environment. We are excited by the difference we will make.”

This news comes as we have been shortlisted for ‘Livery of the Year’, at the Motor Transport Awards 2022. Our fleet consists of 700 liveried trailers which join the company’s tradespeople every day on the roads, travelling the length and breadth of the country.

Sustainability