User:CharlotteP1/sandbox

Overview

Ultimate Products (trading name Ultimate Products Global Sourcing) was established in 1997[1]. They manufacture and distribute products for the home. The company has a portfolio of brands including Salter, Beldray, Kleeneze, Petra, Progress and Intempo. It also holds the trading licence for Russell Hobbs[2]. They sell across 37 countries to over 300 retailers[3]. Their core product categories are audio, heating and cooling, housewares, laundry and small domestic appliances[4].

The head office of Ultimate Products is located in Oldham, Greater Manchester. It includes a distribution centre, showroom and main office. Additionally, they have offices located in Guangzhou, China and in Cologne, Germany[5].

Ultimate Products has one of the largest Graduate Schemes in the North West. [6]It was launched in 2012, and in 2020 it welcomed its 300th graduate. As of 2022, Ultimate Products employs over 300 staff[7].

History

Ultimate Products was established in 1997 by Barry Franks and Simon Showman. Andrew Gossage joined the company as the financial director in 2005, and now acts as the managing director for the business.

In 2005, LDC invested £25m for a 46% share hold in the business. The backing was secured as part of a £25m transaction to fuel its international expansion plans.

In September 2009, the housewares business of Martin Yaffe International Limited was transferred to Ultimate Products. The company acquired a number of licences including Beldray. Beldray, the first manufacturer of steel ironing tablets in the UK and the inventor of adjustable height ironing boards, remains a key brand within the business. The Beldray range now includes vacuums, steamers, steam cleaners and airers.

In 2010, Ultimate Products acquired luggage brand, Constellation[8]. This was followed by the purchase of the stock and trademarks of Giles and Posner in 2012. Bakeware brands George Wilkinson and its sister brand Progress, were also acquired in 2015.

Ultimate Products signed up to Oldham Council’s Fair Employment Charter in 2016, making a commitment to create employment opportunities that are fair, ethical, responsible, and sustainable.

The company IPO’d on the London Stock Exchange in March 2017. [9]Backed by a range of high-profile asset management firms including BlackRock, Henderson and Miton and Schroders, their flotation enabled the company to welcome new shareholders to the register.

Ultimate Products was named Oldham Business of the year (10m plus) in May 2017, being praised for their commitment to improving the local area.

In 2017, Ultimate Products purchased the Kleeneze brand. Kleeneze is one of the longest running home shopping companies in Britain. Ultimate Products relaunched the brand with a focus on floorcare and laundry products but through retail and online channels, after the company’s door to door magazine sales mantra had failed to adapt to an increasing online demand from consumers.

In August 2017, Ultimate Products announced the opening of a second mill site, Heron Mill. Located in Oldham, Heron Mill is used primarily as a warehousing facility. In March 2021, Ultimate Products announced a £1.8m investment into a new 4th floor office area at their Manor Mill headquarters, completed in the summer of the same year[10].

During 2020, the company donated to the Oldham area to support the community through the Covid-19 pandemic. This included a donation of products, much needed items and £10,000 to Action Together’s Covid Relief Fund. Over 150 tablets were donated to local initiative Positive Steps for young carers and young people who were struggling with home schooling[11].

Ultimate Products announced the £34m acquisition of the Salter Brand in July 2021[12]. Established in 1760, Salter is the UK’s oldest houseware brand. They are the market leader in kitchen and bathroom scales. [13]

German Brand Petra is the most recent addition to Ultimate Product’s brand portfolio. Ultimate Products acquired Petra in 2021[14]. It is the company’s first non-UK brand. Petra was founded in 1968 in Bavaria, as a manufacturer of electrical equipment. Originally specialising in coffee machines, it now sells electrical kitchen products. [1] https://www.upgs.com/timeline/

[2] https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/ultimate-products-signs-russell-hobbs-25288742

[3] https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/hired-gun-falling-love-firm-20783839

[4] https://www.upgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2205-UPGS-Interim-Results-Presentation-2022-MR.pdf

[5] https://www.upgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2205-UPGS-Interim-Results-Presentation-2022-MR.pdf

[6] https://www.upgs.com/graduate-scheme/

[7] https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/hired-gun-falling-love-firm-20783839

[8] https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/150m-goal-for-ultimate-products-885950

[9] https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/ultimate-products-produces-russell-hobbs-12034367

[10] https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/ultimate-products-opens-newly-refurbished-21774681

[11] https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/hired-gun-falling-love-firm-20783839

[12] https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2081224-ultimate-products-in-34m-takeover-deal-for-iconic-houseware-brand

[13] https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/140/business-news/141643/ultimate-products-set-to-acquire-uks-oldest-houseware-brand-salter-for-%C2%A334m

[14] https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/german-kitchen-electricals-brand-bought-19839281