Paula Rosa Manhattan – a member of Ballingslöv International Group with a history of kitchen manufacturing since 1929.
Paula Rosa Manhattan is an established, trustworthy brand manufacturing in Sussex. We supply and install fitted kitchen furniture for national house builders, high-rise developers and social/affordable housing providers, as well as direct to the public.
Our experience, expertise and quality product, fully tested and certified, has stood the test of time with customers repeatedly returning for their next project.
Timeline of key milestones
Key
1946
Dennis & Robinson founded in 1946 by George Dennis and Robbie Robinson. Manufacturing Clock cases in Portslade, East Sussex.
Early 1950s
Purchased by Smiths Industries, who were the principal supplier of instruments to the British car industry.
Late 1950s
Moved to Lancing Carriage Works which is still the current manufacturing site.
Early 1960’s
Began to manufacture fitted kitchens, when approached by a local estate agent.
Early 1961
Started trading under the name Manhattan Furniture, which was chosen as a reflection of the modern American lifestyle.
1965
Founded by David Robson (Kingfisher Wood Products Ltd). Manufacturing furniture from a farmer’s barn in Broadbridge Heath. First order was a sideboard for Mr & Mrs Hoyton £44–5 Shillings and 5D.
Late 1960’s
Produced kitchenettes for Butlins refurbishment and, with the company Egger, introduced MFC Furniture carcasses into the UK kitchen industry to replace existing plywood carcasses.
1969
Opened first retail showroom in Storrington.
1970
Opened a showroom in Brighton.
1977
Opened new factory in Telford, focussing on public sector (council housing). Introduced "Paula Rosa" as brand name for retail showrooms - Named after daughter Paula and wife Rosemary. Introduced "Topaz" as brand name for public sector.
1981
Opened retail showrooms in Guildford and Brighton. Moved to one brand – Paula Rosa – across all sectors.
1989
Ballingslov purchased a 50% shareholding. Achieved FIRA Gold Certification for Product.
1992
Remaining 50% shareholding purchased by Ballingslov.
1995
Achieved FIRA Gold Certification for Product To Level H For Heavy Domestic Use.
1999
Achieved FIRA Gold Certification for Installation. First contract kitchen manufacturer to hold the FIRA Gold Award for both product and installation.
Early 2000
Manhattan worked with Cranfield University, leading to a refocus of the business on core processes and streamlining of the factory. This transformation allowed us to be more competitive and continue to win national deals with house builders but also, importantly, introduced Manhattan to the social housing sector.
Early 2008
Manhattan won a contract to deliver social-housing kitchens to Liverpool Mutual Homes and City West Housing, both projects encompassing about 12,000 kitchens.
2011
Achieved FIRA Gold Certification for Special Needs Kitchen Furniture.
2013
Manhattan is Purchased by Ballingslöv Group of Companies and merged with Paula Rosa to create Paula Rosa Manhattan.
2015
Ballingslöv Group inject over £10 million capital investment. The funding has achieved an unsurpassed world-class business – a leader in today’s UK contract kitchens market.
2018
Re-launch of our state-of-the-art showrooms, the result of a substantial 0.5m investment.
2018
Paula Rosa Manhattan won the prestigious project for Canary Wharf Contractors at Newfoundland to deliver 636 kitchens over 58 storeys.
2019
Sustainability strategy launched to minimise our impact on the environment.
2020
Our manufacturing carbon emissions per unit fall by an impressive 23% as our sustainability strategy goes from strength to strength.
2021
Switched to renewable heating as we set our sights on a zero carbon production facility.
2022
Acquired CHAS accreditation (Contractors’ Health and Safety Assessment Scheme, committed to setting health and safety benchmarks that drive industries forward and make the workplace safer).
2022
Celebrated 10 years of zero manufacturing waste to landfill. Moved all timber product groups to FSC® certified suppliers. Introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil (biofuel) into our distribution fleet.
2033
Proud to have become Living Wage certified.