AKW, a provider of accessibility solutions, has announced the opening of a new showroom and manufacturing facility in Middlewich, Cheshire.

The 26,000ft2 facility will produce accessible bathroom and kitchen products from across the company’s portfolio. In addition, the site includes offices and a large bathroom and kitchen showroom, and client assessment centre, to enable Occupational Therapists, Contractors, and other specifiers in the North West to experience AKW’s product range in situ and receive product training as needed.

Following the acquisition of Contour Showers in 2022, it quickly became clear that the existing Contour facility in Winsford would not be able to meet AKW’s manufacturing requirements. A new production site in Total Park, Middlewich, was subsequently taken on under a long-term lease and the layout amended during construction to suit AKW’s needs.

Located three miles from junction 18 of the M6, AKW’s new facility is EPC A-rated and features roof-mounted solar panels that will generate an estimated 15,000kWh electricity per year for the site. Alongside AKW staff, all of the Winsford site’s employees have made the move to the facility, and a fuel allowance, free transport service, and hybrid working have been set up to make the transition easier.

The new facility was opened by Clare Hayward MBE DL, High Sheriff of Cheshire, with Nick Parsons, Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Group, who commented: “The opening of this showroom and manufacturing facility makes AKW the largest producer of bathroom and kitchen adaptation solutions in the North West.

“We are very proud of the reputation that AKW has built up over the years for providing high quality inclusive bathroom and kitchen solutions that stand the test of time. With the opening of the Middlewich facility, now even more installers, specifiers and end users across the region will be able to experience the exceptional AKW and understand why our strapline is ‘Life Made Better’.”