Family run MDF profile manufacturer W.Howard Group is heading into 2025 with a strong history of innovation and sustainability, while continuing to invest in new ways to reduce waste within the industry.
W.Howard has been at the heart of the UK MDF profiles industry for more than 30 years. Still a family-run business today, the company has built its reputation on manufacturing high-quality MDF profiles including skirting, architraves, door linings, and decorative mouldings.
First founded in 1958 by William Howard as a traditional timber merchant, W. Howard maintains its strong heritage in craftsmanship, with all its products continuing to be made within in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The company prides itself on maintaining a culture of integrity, reliability, and excellent customer service – qualities that have been instrumental in helping it to establish longstanding relationships with merchants, distributors, builders and other customers both across the UK and beyond.
With a steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation, W.Howard manufactures and distributes Europe’s widest range of MDF profiles including skirting, architrave, window boards, wall panelling, door linings and other bespoke profile products, all of which meet the evolving demands of architects, builders, and homeowners alike.
There are more than 100 lines held in stock at any one time, reducing lead times. These include Classic, Contemporary and Period designs to suit almost any building style.
A commitment to quality
At the heart of W. Howard’s success is its dedication to British manufacturing.
The company’s MDF profiles are produced in three locations across the UK and Ireland, which ensures the business holds complete control over its quality, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency, as well as reducing the carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation.
The company’s headquarters and distribution hub in Manchester serve as the main base for product development and distribution, ensuring a seamless supply chain. Meanwhile, its dedicated facility in Powys, North Wales specialises in manufacturing real-wood veneers and foil-wrapped products, supporting the increasing demand for these premium skirting and architrave products.
In addition, W. Howard’s operation in Kildare, Ireland, enables it to serve both the domestic and European markets efficiently. This facility plays a crucial role in the company’s sustainability strategy, using advanced production techniques to minimise waste and maximise energy efficiency.
By strategically positioning its sites around the UK, W. Howard not only reduces transportation emissions but also strengthens its ability to deliver exceptional products with minimal environmental impact.
Sustainability at its heart
Not content with manufacturing its products using durable MDF that helps reduce timber waste on site, W.Howard is also continually exploring ways to enhance sustainability across its operations.
This includes ensuring that all its products are made from quality MDF, as well as holding the ISO14001 environmental performance standard and the ISO9001 quality assurance standard. Since 2019, W.Howard has also delivered all its products using 100% biodegradable wrapping that degrades in the open air in as little as 60 days. This ensures that W.Howard products arrive to site safely and without damage, but also without leaving wrapping that would otherwise likely end up in landfill.
Removing waste from landfill
W.Howard’s next step towards improving environmental standards and ensuring a circular construction economy is the establishing of W.Howard Pillo – a new division of the business that is exclusively focused on solving a longstanding problem for the MDF industry.
Working closely with Manchester-based business MDF Recovery, W.Howard Pillo will soon be installing the world’s first disaggregator for the recovery of high-quality fibres from waste MDF materials. This will then transform these waste MDF fibres into ‘loose fill’ insulation, which will be blown into panels used for the offsite manufacture of timber frame house construction.
Simon Fleet, Group Commercial Director of W.Howard, says: “We are delighted to offer an energy efficient, circular solution to the age-old problem of what to do with waste MDF. Until now, the waste MDF generated by the furniture, retail and construction sectors has either ended up in landfill or been incinerated.
“By transforming these waste materials into natural wood fibre insulation, we are helping to enhance sustainability for the timber industry and taking a significant leap towards a more circular economy. We are thrilled to soon be offering a complete end-to-end recycling solution for waste MDF.”
As W. Howard Group looks to the future, it remains dedicated to the principles that have defined its success: quality, sustainability, and innovation. With continued investment in cutting-edge technologies, environmentally responsible practices, and product development, the company is well-positioned to thrive in an evolving market.
* This article was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of Supplying Timber magazine.
