Major UK Kitchen Tile Supplier Ceases Trading
A significant supplier to the UK kitchen industry has collapsed into administration, resulting in the complete loss of all jobs across its four constituent companies. The tile manufacturer, which had been operating for approximately half a century, is shutting down its entire operation.
Four Companies Enter Administration
The businesses affected are Ceramique Internationale Ltd based in Leeds, Rowmarl Ltd from Bedford, and Spectrum Tiles Ltd and Euxton Tile Supplies Ltd, both operating from Euxton in Lancashire. All four firms have now ceased trading.
These companies functioned as separate legal entities under the umbrella of the Earle Group and Full Circle Group. According to a statement released this week, Christopher Ratten and Matthew Haw of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory were appointed as joint administrators on October 27.
Second Major Retailer Also Folds
This collapse follows swiftly on the heels of another significant failure in the sector. Tiles retailer Fired Earth was forced to shut all of its 20 high street showrooms after it too collapsed into administration.
Its locations in affluent areas, including London's New Kings Road and Islington, have been closed, leading to 133 redundancies. Administrators from Leonard Curtis were appointed last Wednesday.
Dane O'Hara from Leonard Curtis stated, "Fired Earth has been loss-making for some time." He revealed that the company's owner, construction entrepreneur Simon Lousada, had provided substantial loans in recent years in an effort to keep the business afloat.
Despite these cash injections, the company continued to incur losses. In its most recent financial year, Fired Earth recorded a £1.7m loss, attributing it to cost pressures, wage inflation, and a "particularly challenging market."
Mr O'Hara confirmed that the investor was not prepared to provide further funding without a viable turnaround strategy. Leonard Curtis noted that Fired Earth's warehouse in Banbury and its head office would remain open temporarily to fulfil existing customer orders, and talks are underway to sell the company's assets, though any deal would not include staff.
