Gresham Office Furniture

Gresham Office Furniture began in 1976 in a shed in Bolton. Founder Ted Smith was a typewriter engineer who spent his days fixing machines that sat on worn-out desks. He built his own desk, welded the frame when bolting it together proved awkward, and topped it with MFC. As typewriter sales slowed, he figured the people buying them would also need a desk and chair.

By the turn of the millennium the business had outgrown the shed and moved into a purpose-built 200,000 sq ft site in Horwich, where design, production, and finishing all happen under one roof. Ownership stayed in the family. Ted’s son-in-law, Julian Roebuck, joined in 2004 after a career in civil engineering, and in August 2008 he bought the company through a management buyout, arranged over two years. His brother Richard came on board as Sales Director. Turnover has since doubled, with expansion into the Middle East and the USA.

Today Gresham employs more than 250 people and makes desks, chairs, storage, screens, and conference and breakout furniture. It still calls itself a “True UK Manufacturer,” despite the skills shortages and rising energy costs that come with staying local. Customers can get free design consultations, customization, installation, and aftercare. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations and aims for net zero by 2042. Its latest investment focuses on automation and in-house fabrication.