Methven – the award-winning global designer and manufacturer of premium showers and tapware – has relocated its head office and showroom to the new Methven Experience Centre in Golborne, Greater Manchester. The new facility is part of a significant six-figure investment across the business.
The 5,500 sq ft premises features a state-of-the-art showroom to display Methven’s wide and growing product range, including the company’s two patented showering technologies, Aurajet™ and Satinjet®, as well as the extensive Deva by Methven range. The new centre benefits from working wet displays and demonstration areas, with QR code technology allowing for product data sheets to be wirelessly streamed on television screens throughout. The space also doubles as a training facility for trade, hotel, house builder and retail customers to experience products first hand.
The Methven Experience Centre features the latest conference facilities and will act as a head office for the business’ growing staff base. As part of the investment, the company has made three new appointments to its sales team, with further additions planned in the coming months.
In addition to the new facility, Methven has invested in its product distribution hub in Leigh, restructuring the layout for increased efficiency, alongside new signage and updated employee uniforms. The improvements now mean the business has two sites in the North West.
The investment comes hot on the heels of a string of prestigious award wins for the company, including a place in the exclusive CoolBrands® 2015 list. The annual listing, which reveal’s Britain’s ‘coolest’ brands, is decided by public vote and a panel of experts featuring leading figures in fashion, media and culture. Methven is the only shower and tap brand to appear in this year’s list.
The recently launched Aurajet Aio range has already scooped a number of international and national awards, including a German Design Award 2016, Gold in the ‘Consumer Product’ category at the New Zealand Best Design Awards 2015 and a 2015 Australian GOOD DESIGN Award in ‘Product Design’. The range also secured Gold in the ‘Innovation in Sustainability’ category at the UK Designer Kitchen & Bathroom Awards.
Martin Walker, CEO of Methven UK, said: “This significant level of investment in the business is a new and exciting chapter in our 129 year history. Our state-of-the-art Experience Centre will act as a shop window for customers wanting to engage with our patented technology products first hand and gain insight into the business’ design-led ethos.
“In addition to unveiling the new head office, our investment in the distribution hub and sales team is indicative of the successes and growth to date, as well as reflective of our ambitious plans for the future.
“The award wins and CoolBrands listings are further proof of the exciting direction we are taking. To be named amongst the likes of Apple, Netflix and Ray-Ban as one of Britain’s ‘coolest’ brands is something we are extremely proud of.”
The new Methven Experience Centre is located at 3-3A Stonecross Court, Yew Tree Way, Golborne, WA3 3JD.
