Lorries loaded with Wham brand products are rolling out of a Lancashire manufacturer's distribution centre in record numbers to keep retailers' shelves stocked up to Christmas and beyond.

November through December and into the New Year is always one of the busiest times for award-winning plastic goods manufacturer What More UK, which markets more than 650 product lines under its trusted ‘Wham' brand. But this year is already proving busier than ever.

An average day will see 33 fully packed 40ft containers leave the loading bays at What More's massive and modern manufacturing facility at Altham. This November has already seen that figure rise to 45 containers per day and it is expected to peak at a record 55 per day in December, and remain well above average through January and into February.

Everything from plant pots to plastic sledges, washing up bowls to laundry baskets, cat litter trays to kitchen mops - and an ever-growing range of plastic storage boxes for every use under the sun - is shipped from the purpose-built Altham facility. If it can be made from plastic and is useful in the home, office, garage or garden, there's a good chance What More already makes it and moves it.

Its stock goes out to retailers across the UK, ranging from nationwide supermarket and DIY chains down to small independent hardware and discount stores, and everything in between. While they vary in size, all these retailers rely on the tried and tested quality and value-for-money of Wham brand products to ensure their shelves need constant restocking.

Container lorries also leave Altham bound for Britain's ports, their cargo shipped overseas to more than 60 countries around the globe which What More now exports its products to, including selling plastics to the Far East.

"The pre and post-Christmas period is always a busy time and as our international customer base continues to grow we are busier than ever," said What More director Tony Grimshaw, speaking form the company's Padiham head offices.

"Our production lines run 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to keep up with demand. A handful of our products are specific to Christmas, but at this time of year we see an increased demand across most of our range as people plan to spend more time at home.

"Storage boxes are always needed, but even more so around Christmas and New Year when people are having a sort out. Retailers also need to quickly clear their shelves of Christmas stock after December 25th and refill them with new stock. Our products do that job very well, so retailers like to stock up before Christmas."

This year it is not just plastics that are keeping the What More production lines busy. It has seen a big demand for its new Wham Cook non-stick and enamel bakeware products as Britain enjoys a home baking boom credited to the success of TV's ‘Great British Bake-Off'. Demand is also strong for the new Wham BamBox range of virtually unbreakable plastic boxes, with new sizes and colours being added.

"There can't be many places busier than our factories right now," added Tony Grimshaw, "except maybe Santa's workshop!"