HILL’S Panel Products (HPP) Ltd has expanded its sales force with the appointment of a dedicated area sales manager for Scotland – a first for the business.
She is Geraldine Thomson, who joins the Oldham-based manufacturer and distributor of board, doors, fittings and accessories for the fitted kitchen and bedroom industry, with more than 32 years’ experience of the KBB sector, most of it in territory-based sales roles, at businesses including BA Components and Uform.
Geraldine says: “We feel there is a lot of untapped potential in Scotland, so it is better to have someone on the ground who can focus on the territory. I’ve found from experience you can grow the business much better when you’re on the patch.
“I love getting out and meeting people, no two days are the same because no two customers are the same – this is where I’m the happiest, dealing business to business, telling them about new products and sharing advice and opinions with them.”
HPP Sales Director Gareth Evans says: “We are delighted to welcome Geraldine to the team. She has extensive knowledge of, and a passion for, the KBB industry, and creates a great rapport with her customers. We think she is the perfect match for HPP!”
Geraldine, who lives in Glasgow and applied to HPP after seeing her role advertised on the LinkedIn social media platform, has been married to her husband Norrie, an electrician, for 27 years and the couple have one son Lee, 24, who has followed in his dad’s footsteps as an electrician. The family has just given a home to a black labrador pup called Glen – their first ever dog.
Speaking after a comprehensive induction programme at HPP’s Oldham HQ, Geraldine adds: “I’ve found everyone to be very friendly and approachable, and I’ve been very impressed with the level of customer service. I like the fact it is a family business, and everybody knows everybody and gets on really well, it’s got a really good feel. I know I can pick up the phone to anybody and they will help me.”
About HPP
Hill’s Panel Products (HPP), based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and with a second UK distribution centre in Sheffield, south Yorkshire, serves the national kitchen and bedroom fitting industry. It currently has over 2,000 trade customers and supplies over 6,000 products including its own brands of doors and cabinet components.
HPP was formed in 1991 with the sole aim of supplying components to the furniture industry. Since then, the company and product range have expanded greatly to more than 6,000 products. These cover a huge range of full and processed sheet material, vinyl wrapped furniture doors and furniture fittings.
Its own products include Avanti doors, Glide sliding doors, and Aspect and Aspire kitchens and bedrooms. It also supplies products by brands such as Blum, Egger and Kronospan.
The company is headed by brothers Martin and Stephen Hill and managing director Keith Wardrope.
