Join our Retailer Network Trade Home About Us Brands News Contact Trade Service Proposition Home About Us Timeline TIMELINE It all started in 1982... Our history mapped out with significant events in our growth highlighted. 1982 Ultra Finishing is founded by Steve Heys at Elm Street, Burnley providing a gold plating service to the bathroom industry. 1983 Keith Heys joins the business taking the total number of employees to 6 and the Company relocates to Cowe Lane, Burnley. The company diversifies in to offering coloured finishes. Turnover £88,000. 1984 Linda Lamprecht joins the business taking the total number of employees to 7. Turnover £472,000. The profit share scheme for all employees is introduced and the Rusty Cup is established - over the years it has become a hotly contested interdepartmental football match. 1985 Colm Lalor joins and the number of employees increases to 19. Turnover £717,000. 1986 Company moves to Rylands Street, Burnley. Total number of employees 38. Turnover exceeds £1 million for the first time. 1987 Number of employees increases to 45, turnover £1.9 million. 1988 Number of employees increases to 56, turnover £2.7 million. 1989 Number of employees 56, turnover over £3 million. 1990 The company sources its first range of brassware in the Far East. Number of employees 56, turnover £2,692,000. 1991 Ultra Finishing Ltd begins to supply large OEMs in the bathroom industry. Number of employees 56, turnover £2.6 million. 1992 A semi automatic chrome plating line is bought and converted to the best gold plating line in Europe! Number of employees 56, turnover £2,598,000. 1993 Number of employees 57, turnover £3,125,000. 1994 Sees a proud day at Turf Moor when Ultra Finishing win the District Cup! Number of employees 57, turnover £3,955,000. 1995 Acquisition of Truflow to enter in to the showers category. Gold Express is established to handle sub-contract plating. Number of employees 60 and turnover £4,605,000. 1996 Acquisition of Ensuite provides market share in the wastes and accessories market. Number of employees grows again to 75. Turnover £6,265,000. 1997 Total number of employees 80, turnover £7,905,000. 1998 Ultra Finishing Ltd listed as one of the top 20 employers in Burnley by the Council. Total number of employees 88, turnover £9,042,000. 1999 Keith Heys becomes MD. The company buys the Grenfell site for further expansion and sales of £1m in a month are exceeded for the first time. A state of the art PVD machine is purchased to provide a Lifetime Guarantee finish. Total number of employees 93, turnover £11,748,000. 2000 A new Board of Directors is established and a 10 year club is set up with over 18 members. The Amber brand (later to become Ultra) is launched which includes taps, showers and accessories. Total number of employees 95, turnover £12,353,000. 2001 The Hudson Reed brand is born with a range of showers and traditional heating products. Total number of employees 98, turnover £13,851,000. 2002 Hudson Reed sales hit £2 million and more products are sourced in the Far East to increase profitability. The company makes a commitment to "Investors in People". Total number of employees 100, turnover £17,091,000. 2003 Total number of employees 112, turnover £22,320,000 2004 Total number of employees 116, turnover £30,767,000 2005 Ultra achieves ISO 9000 quality standard and the company receives runner up in the Overall Achievement in Business Excellence Aware at Towneley Hall. Total number of employees 129, turnover £33,876,000. 2006 Total number of employees 141, turnover £38,789,000. 2007 Company moves to Widow Hill Road, Burnley. The company celebrates 25 years in business with a party and a "Jubilee" promotion to the trade. 2008 Mike Duggleby becomes MD. The Premier brand is launched and bathroom furniture features for the first time. Total number of employees 91, turnover £35,209,000. 2009 Acquisition of Valquest and we achieve TMV2 safety accreditation on Valquest showers. Total number of employees 95, turnover £38,672,000. 2010 Sales increase by 20% on 2009. Shower enclosures and baths added to our product groups and we take over the handling of Niko's UK distribution. Total number of employees 114, turnover £47,053,000. 2011 Shower manufacturing is brought back to Burnley and "Made in Britain" is promoted with pride. Total number of employees 112, turnover £36.1m. 2012 The 10 year club celebrates at Burnley Football club in June, 55 employees are proud to be a member! Total number of employees 175, turnover £41.2m. Acquisition of Niko in July allows Ultra Finishing brands to offer the complete bathroom by introducing an extensive range of bathroom furniture, baths, shower enclosures and sanitary ware. Tony Wood, the Owner and CEO of Niko joins the Board of Directors at Ultra Finishing Ltd. 2013 Acquisition of Mark Two provides Ultra Finishing with space to develop its Distribution, logistics and IT platform. Total number of employees 392, turnover £63.4m. 2014 The 'Old London' brand is introduced to provide a complete bathroom offering for those looking for the ever popular and timeless, traditional style. 2015 2015 sees the introduction of a brand dedicated to offering bathroom furniture which is designed and built in Britain. Making design led practical storage solutions a possibility for all sizes of bathrooms instantly, makes Balterley a success. About Ultra Finishing Find out how Ultra Finishing has become one of the market leaders in high quality bathroom supplies... Latest News Check out our latest press releases and find updates on new product launches here.... Product Search Search our database for details on product specifications and brands... Trade Service Proposition A new service proposition takes effect 7th December 2015.... The Directors of Ultra Finishing Limited ("UFL") are committed to ensuring that UFL and its employees comply at all times with competition law. Read More Home Careers Trade Service Proposition Contact About Us About Customer Service Quality & Accreditations Timeline Sales Team Showroom Support Brands Hudson Reed Ultra Premier Balterley Old London Niko News News Press Releases Adverts Competitions © 2014 Ultra Finishing. All rights reserved. Site Map Terms of Use