The sales team expansion at Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) continues with the appointment of former IDS Senior Account Manager Ian Jones in a new role of Category Manager.
Jones’ new role at the Oldham-based manufacturer and supplier of board, doors, fittings and accessories for the KBB industry will see him concentrating on the decorative panel and worktop sector of HPP’s operations, creating new business, bringing in key accounts and building relationships with new and existing customers.
He says learning of the new role was a timely intervention as the situation became clear at IDS (International Decorative Surfaces), which filed for administration in September: “HPP got in touch saying there was a role that needed filling here. It was the best of both worlds – I needed a job and HPP needed to hire someone.
“I’ve worked with HPP since just before the pandemic and I’ve always had a great feeling about the atmosphere of the place when I came here from Alan (Bolton, Purchasing Director), Keith (Wardrope, MD) and Gareth (Evans, Deputy MD). As soon as I heard about the role, I was definitely interested.”
Having always worked in sales, Jones began his KBB career 10 years ago at wood-based products manufacturer Kronospan, where he first worked internally before going on the road. He then moved to surface technology and edge banding specialists Surteco UK, where he was National Sales Manager, before joining IDS 11 months ago.
In a break with conventional HPP induction, Jones will be on the road representing HPP immediately.
“This is a unique situation (after the demise of IDS), so I’ll be trying to get in front of as many panel and worktop customers as I possibly can,” he says.
“Overcoming challenges is about relationships, making sure you are having conversations constantly. My job was key accounts, and you have to stay as close as you can to your key customers and keep pushing for the big accounts – even if it’s just a foot in the door because one product can lead to more.”
Based in Wrexham, father-of-two Jones is the second supporter of the town’s football club to join HPP in as many weeks, following the appointment of former Pfleiderer UK MD Jason Taylor as Contracts Manager.
