NEWS | Round-up
Mereway Kitchens ceases trading despite ‘substantial investment’
MEREWAY KITCHENS has closed its doors for good after its new parent company concluded it couldn’t be saved from the dire straits it had been left in by the previous owners.
Highlight Green Acres Ltd, a
subsidiary of Sigma 3 Group, acquired the assets of Mereway Kitchens out of its previous administration in August 2023. But despite what the company describes as ‘substantial investment’ and ‘significant progress’ in improving processes and service, it has not been able to turn Mereway Kitchens around. Highlight Green Acres has appointed Huw Powell, Paul Wood and Mark Malone, partners at Begbies Traynor, as joint administrators and 120 staff have been made redundant.
A spokesperson for Highlight Green Acres said: “Despite substantial investment and significant progress in
many areas, it has not been possible for Mereway to achieve the required sales volumes that were needed to make this business profitable. “The impact of the original business
going into administration in 2023 appears to have significantly impacted customer confidence. This, along with a weakening market in the last three months has materially impacted the
business. It is therefore with great sadness that we have reached the conclusion that there was no viable alternative to this action.” Huw Powell, joint administrator, and partner at Begbies Traynor, said it was a “difficult day”, saying volatile economic factors are resulting in falling consumer demand and this created significant cash flow pressures for Mereway Kitchens. “It is always disappointing to see a long-established business fail,” Powell said. “Our thoughts are with the employees, who only recently came through an insolvency process and will be devastated by the news. We are hopeful that the reputation of the skilled workforce at Mereway Kitchens for delivering high quality products will allow employees to find new employment quickly, and we wish them all the best.”
Robert Lee Distribution sold to investment group
However, he will remain with Robert Lee in the short- term to help facilitate a smooth handover. He will be succeeded as managing director by Kim Kirby-Earnshaw, who was recently appointed as the company’s commercial director. Kirby-Earnshaw has more than 30 years of experience within the industry and the company said she will be able to ensure that Robert Lee Distribution’s business momentum will continue.
According to the distributor, despite having numerous offers for the sale of the business in the past, the company has “failed to identify a partner with the right interests and strategy” until now. Robert Lee Distribution says that the decision will
BATHROOM AND plumbing distributor Robert Lee Distribution has been sold to investment company HLD Group.
The deal officially completed on January 18, and as a result, long-standing managing director of Robert Lee, Matt Earle,
will be departing the business.
allow the business to continue to grow and develop under its new owners, as well as further meet its business goals. The company explained that its new owners share the same views on “vision and culture”, which helped to seal the deal.
HLD Group is a UK-based industrial investment company with business interests in the UK, USA and Europe. It specialises in industrial businesses within
the manufacturing, engineering and materials distribution sector. Some of the other companies in its portfolio include Marble Building Products and flooring company Storplan.
Robert Lee has assured its customers that its usual levels of service will remain unaffected by the sale, and that its customers can expect the business’ “long-standing business principles and practices to continue”.
Former MD Earle commented that the change of ownership marks “an exciting new chapter for Robert Lee Distribution”, adding: “the investment will allow the business to further strive, offer improved services, and build stronger, long-term customer relationships.” Similarly, Kirby-Earnshaw said that the sale will allow the distribution company to “experience significant growth” as well as “take advantage of HLD Group’s derived opportunities”.
During the Covid pandemic, Robert Lee Distribution opened an ‘essential services’ order system despite having to temporarily close its main delivery network.
SENSTEC crossing the pond to US market
AS PART of its expansion into the United States, anti-slip shower tray manufacturer SENSTEC has announced it has found a new managing director to head up SENSTEC USA. The role has been filled by Mark Conacher, who is the former managing director of UK-based Liberty Fitting Service Ltd.
SENSTEC says that Conacher’s experience makes him a “tremendous fit” to head up the company stateside. It specifically mentioned his experience
4
taking Liberty Fitting “from a sole trader business [to] one of the most recognisable the UK”.
installation brands in
According to Conacher, SENSTEC has enjoyed remarkable growth in the UK market, so, “it was only a matter of time before this remarkable product was shared in other parts of the world”. The company made its first sale in the US last year, when it supplied a shower tray for a couple in Maine. With the establishment of SENSTEC USA, the brand is now ready to expand
further into the US. The company’s owner and founder, Christopher Hackett, said that he first met Mark in 2019, and he “immediately stood out”. Hackett added: “I know he is the perfect person to drive this company forward.” Conacher
himself said he feels
humbled and grateful to be given the opportunity to lead SENSTEC USA. “SENSTEC is a fantastic product”, he said. “Young or old, you should feel safe in the shower. SENSTEC achieves this.”
• March 2024
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