Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
A Lancashire housewares supplier has made a commitment that even its lowest-paid employees will receive the UK Living Wage.
What More UK Ltd employs around 220 people at its manufacturing and distribution centre at the Altham Business Park in Accrington, where it produces the Wham brand of plastic storage, houseware and garden products.
The majority of its employees earn more than the Living Wage – currently £7.85 per hour – but like any large business it has a number of lower paid roles to fill. This week the What More employees in those roles saw an increase in their pay packets as the company committed to the Living Wage as its minimum level of reward.
The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently, calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK and updated annually. Currently set at £7.85 per hour (outside London), it is significantly higher than the National Minimum Wage of £6.50 per hour.
Tony Grimshaw, Director of What More UK Ltd, said: “We realise that our employees are our biggest asset, helping take us from humble beginnings in 1999 to a company with more than 650 superior products, a turnover of £47 million and exporting to 63 countries worldwide in just 16 years. It’s only right that we share our success with our hard-working colleagues at every level.
“Of course there are many jobs within the company that pay well above the Living Wage, but we are proud to commit to it as our absolute minimum. Even new colleagues will achieve this pay level after a very short initial induction and training period.” 
