Mellow One Furniture is one of the newest wholesalers on the scene, offering factory-direct solid wood and painted ranges from China. After overseeing the company’s exhibition debut at the Manchester Furniture Show, MD Wayne Prince speaks to Furniture News …
Based in Harlow, Essex, with a warehousing and logistics operation in Birmingham, Mellow One Furniture offers solid wood and painted furniture for the bedroom, living and dining areas.
The company launched its newest range, Lilybrook, at the Manchester Furniture Show. Offering a country feel, with a natural oak top and a body painted in a choice of two colours – soft cream or lava grey – Lilybrook has been developed to suit modern tastes.
Wayne points out that working closely with the manufacturer brings about great potential for product development. “We create our new lines by thinking about efficiency from the factory floor upwards,” he says. “By repeatedly utilising certain components, you not only make the pricing better, but you have a happy factory. This in turn keeps production going, and stockholding consistent.”
The company was founded in July last year when Wayne was approached by a Chinese manufacturer to act as its wholesaler in the UK. Having worked in the furniture industry for almost 20 years, Wayne was excited by the opportunity to bring retailers the optimum combination of product and service.
“We endeavour to offer great customer service, and find the products that our customers want and keep those in stock,” he says. “We also have the ability to deliver direct to the retailer’s customers if needed.”
Delivering such a comprehensive service is no simple matter, but it is this kind of initiative which helps set Mellow One apart from the crowd in this competitive arena.
And, although Wayne is wary of the immediate and long-term consequences of Brexit, he is confident that Mellow One’s approach and offer is what today’s market needs. “It is what it is, and I believe we just need to pick ourselves up and get on with it,” he says. “In this business, you have to be constantly on your toes, and not scared to accept a change in direction if something isn’t working.”
With possible new ranges and a fresh colour in development, Mellow One, which will boast an even stronger portfolio before the year is out, is definitely one to watch …
