Ultimate Products management team give up their salaries to help local charities and causes

Simon Showman, Ultimate Products' CEO, and Andrew Gossage, its Managing Director

The management team of Ultimate Products, the Chadderton-based company behind leading household brands such as Beldray, Intempo and Progress, are donating their salaries to help fund a range of charitable initiatives in the Oldham area during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Simon Showman, the company’s CEO, and Andrew Gossage, its Managing Director, have taken the decision to go unpaid until normal levels of trading have resumed for the business.

In addition, the company’s other directors are also lending their support by voluntarily taking a 20% salary reduction for the same period of time.

The funds will be put towards the company’s work in supporting local charities, hospitals and other community organisations by providing volunteers, supplying products free of charge, and making cash donations.

As part of its half year financial results, which were announced yesterday, Ultimate Products said that it takes its role as a responsible and socially engaged corporate citizen very seriously, and is determined to do what it can to help the community through this challenging period.

Founded in 1997, Ultimate Products is headquartered in Oldham and has sites at Manor Mill and Heron Mill.

In addition, the company has an office and showroom in Guangzhou, China and in Cologne, Germany.

The company has over 300 staff, and has long been a significant employer in Oldham as well as a supporter of the local community.

It runs a hugely successful graduate scheme which was launched in 2012 has now welcomed over 100 graduates, a number of whom have risen to senior positions within the company.

In addition, in 2018 it launched the “UP Academy” in partnership with Oldham College, which provides locally-based and talented students the opportunity to develop work-related skills and gain valuable professional experience within Ultimate Products.

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