Montague L. Meyer (MLM) and sister company William T. Eden (WTE) have unveiled a major programme of investment in stock, storage, staff and product promotion to build market share in laminates, laminate worktops and MFC.

MLM heralds the companies’ new “National Decorative Products Initiative” as a significant strategic development, both for the business itself and the wider marketplace.

The initiative sees MLM and WTE moving into laminate worktops for the first time, with the aim of achieving significant market share within three years. “Worktops offer us the opportunity to trade in a completely new market segment and also to offer existing customers complementary products to those we currently supply,” commented newly appointed National Decoratives Director, Chris Potter.

The laminate worktops themselves comprise the Resopal 38mm branded range from Wilsonart and the 38mm Radius brand from Egger, for which MLM and WTE are major UK distributors.

In laminates, MLM and WTE aim to become a “truly national distributor” and establish a very strong presence within the planned time frame. With Wilsonart as principal partner, the companies have developed a new stock range of 100 colours/designs/patterns in 3050×1320 mm and 3660×1525 mm, available from stock held at 12 strategically located depots, nationwide.

The initiative also sees key developments in the companies’ approach to the MFC market, with a view to doubling their market share. Growth will come from developing their Egger Select distributorship, nationally, with major emphasis in Scotland and the North. The Group have been appointed national distributors of Depalor and will continue to offer alternative brands which are currently in their portfolio.

To drive the whole initiative, MLM and WTE have created a specialist decoratives team under Mr Potter, with new personnel joining shortly. It has also invested more than £100,000 in racking to take the extensive stocks of worktops and laminates.