NEWS | Round-up


Victorian Plumbing snaps up its arch rival in shock move


ONLINE BATHROOM giant Victorian Plumbing has bought arch rival Victoria Plum in a snap move just eight months after it was bought out of administration by another firm.


In a statement to investors, Victorian Plumbing confirmed that it has bought AHK Designs Ltd, the company that bought Victoria Plum in September for £22.5m, half of Victoria Plum’s estimated annual revenue. This sum “reflects the significant strategic value to the Company of the Victoria Plum brand and its associated intellectual property.” It says it that given that there is a cost reduction programme already in place following the administration, it intends to continue trading normally and expects Victoria Plum to broadly break even in the second half of 2024.


More information on future plans is expected with Victorian Plumbing’s


Herringbone launches petition to ban high- silica stone in UK


A KENT-BASED cabinet and furniture maker has launched a petition calling for the UK Government to consider a ban on high-silica stone products. The petition


follows Herringbone’s


accouncement earlier this year that it would stop selling high-silica stone products. The company said its decision was informed by several recent developments, such as Australia’s decision to ban the sale of engineered stone, as well as reports linking respiratory illnesses to engineered stone fabrication. Herringbone says it feels like it cannot achieve a high-silica product ban alone, so it has decided to set up the petition to take to parliament. Although Herringbone accepts that there is no danger to homeowners once high-silica stone products have been installed, it believes that producing and cutting the material carries a risk. William Durrant (pictured), owner of Herringbone, said: “We’re pleased to have started a conversation in our industry. We’re aware that regulations are in place, however, we see no place for high-silica engineered quartz when so many alternatives are available. “By taking the petition to parliament we hope that we can make further impact and help make all stonemasons, fitters and people exposed to high-


4 silica dust particles, safe.” Herringbone also has the support of


Dr. Carl Reynolds, consultant in respiratory and acute medicine at Imperial College in London, who said: “Silicosis is a devastating, incurable, and entirely preventable disease. It kills and causes serious disability. The global artificial stone silicosis outbreak is a tragedy. I can see no justification for artificial high-silica stone use in the UK and fully support a ban.” Herringbone’s petition


is accepting


signatures until September 24, 2024. At the time of writing, it currently has over 130 signatures. Any UK petition that reaches at least 10,000 signatures is responded to by the Government. Following the Australian government’s decision last year, surface brand Caesarstone released a business update stating its belief that “[engineered stone] products are safe to fabricate under safe working practices”.


interim results on May 28.


Mark Radcliffe (pictured), CEO of Victorian Plumbing, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Victoria Plum, a well-established brand with a solid base of customers, suppliers and product ranges. The acquisition aligns with our ambitions to accelerate our growth. We are pleased to welcome the existing Victoria Plum team to our group and look forward to continuing to provide customers with a fantastic range


of bathroom accessories.


“This acquisition represents another exciting strategic milestone for the company and, together with the investment in our new distribution centre, provides a unique opportunity to deliver increased shareholder return.” This acquisition ends a long running


rivalry between the two similarly-named companies.


products and


At the time of the AHK purchase, Radcliffe expressed “huge concern for customers and suppliers”, and in 2018 Victoria Plum received £1.75 million from Victorian Plumbing after winning a court battle over trademark infringement relating to online advertising and search.


At the time of the September sale, administrator Ernst & Young revealed that AHK Designs, paid £7.8m in a pre-pack deal. However, that sale left behind debts of £24.3m. Victoria Plum customers were owed £2.25m with just under £222,000 in unpaid refunds, £665,000 in unfulfilled trade orders and £1.36m in unfulfilled design and installation orders. Now, for the six months up to March 31, unaudited management accounts indicate that Victoria Plum had book value gross assets of £15.8m and losses of £3.3m.


Nolte acquires BKNC to grow trade business


KITCHEN MANUFACTURER Nolte Kitchens UK has acquired contract installation company BKNC for an undisclosed sum. According to Nolte, the acquisition will allow the company’s direct-to-trade kitchen division to grow substantially, and also enhance its offering to the construction and housebuilding sector. Prior to the acquisition, Nolte was already a shareholder of BKNC, but now wholly owns the business. BKNC operates from its head office in Wrexham, but serves a national client base of construction companies, including both large national homebuilders and smaller luxury developers. BKNC’s managing director, Harry Ruler, will reportedly remain at the business, but will now be stepping into the role of contracts director. He believes the acquisition will open up fresh opportunities for both companies. He added: “After a partnership spanning over 25 years, BKNC and Nolte UK have officially merged, marking a significant milestone in our relationship. Renowned for supplying kitchens for iconic projects such as the Arsenal Football Stadium and numerous large-scale developments across the UK, this merger signifies a new era for both BKNC and Nolte in the UK as one combined operation. “The partnership not only bolsters our oper– ational capabilities but also provides our house builder clients access to 15 incredible Nolte Kitchens showrooms across the country.


“The merger is an incredibly proud moment for all involved, marking the combination of a longstanding partnership built over two decades of business together. As BKNC and Nolte embark


on this new chapter together, BKNC and Nolte Kitchens UK remain committed to delivering unmatched quality and service to our clients.” In January of 2022, Nolte also acquired The Kitchen Group Retail Company’s six showrooms for an undisclosed sum. The year prior to that, it also acquired the retail chain In-Toto.


• June 2024


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