Cheshire Mouldings is hoping to steal market share from bespoke manufacturers with the launch of its off-the-shelf walnut stairparts system.
The company will offer two of its Axxys range, Origin and Solo, in the premium wood, which it says will cost approximately 20% more than its existing oak ranges.
“We wanted to extend the timber species we offer and were looking for another premium product to add to the range,” said managing director John Carney, “We’ve had lots of requests from customers over the last 12 months asking if we sell stairparts in walnut – and when we told them no, we then thought why not?”
Walnut has previously been tipped as the timber to watch both in kitchen design and furniture pieces and Mr Carney believes the growth in popularity is set to continue.
“Walnut is clearly a more expensive timber than oak or pine,” he said. “But we believe this new premium stairparts system provides a much more straightforward and affordable way to create a walnut staircase in the home without having to purchase one from the bespoke market.”
Both Axxys Origin and Axxys Solo will be available in sustainably sourced American black walnut through the company’s existing nationwide customer base of around 600 stockists.
And, says Mr Carney, there is already strong demand for the product. “As a brand new premium range, production in the early stages will understandably be on a more limited scale,” he said.
“But based on our projected sales forecast and initial interest from our distributors we are confident of being able to satisfy all orders.”
