Revenue at ceramic tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles fell by almost 20 per cent as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the 12 months to March 31, 2021, the Stoke-on-Trent business recorded revenue of £32.8 million – down 19.8 per cent on £41.7 million in 2020.
Bosses at parent company Norcros plc have attributed the results to the ‘significant impact’ of the pandemic which saw demand for Johnson Tiles’ products ‘drop sharply’ during the first half of the year.
However, sales returned to ‘more normal’ levels during the second half of 2020 as more and more Brits turned to DIY and construction sites reopened.
In a statement about Johnson Tiles, Norcros plc said: "During the first national lockdown in April, where demand dropped sharply to 24 per cent of prior year, the focus was on supporting commercial and retail contracts and rapidly developing the factory outlet website.
"Revenues recovered through the first half as the DIY retailers and construction sites returned to a more normal level of operation; and this recovery continued into the second half where revenues were 93.1 per cent of prior year on a like-for-like basis.
"We benefitted in the second half from our strong position with the national house developers where we have either exclusive supply or significant shares of the tile supply to Barratt David Wilson, Persimmon, Charles Church, Redrow, Countryside and Bellway.
"During the year we supplied a number of major contracts in the period including the Royal Wharf Development in London, Birmingham Airport Holiday Inn, Booking.com’s 海角视频 offices, the Clayton Hotel in Manchester and the Cardhu distilleries offices.
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"Retail sector revenue was down 21.1 per cent, with the second half recording a 11.6 per cent decrease on prior year with tiles not benefitting as much as some categories from the general market DIY uplift.
"However, we have still been successful in winning new space in both B&Q and Wickes during the year and Johnson Tiles’ position as the only remaining 海角视频-based tile manufacturer is expected to help us gain future retail traction."
In contrast to Johnson Tiles, sister business – Norcros Adhesives – saw revenue increase by six per cent, rising from £11.8 million to £12.3 million.
The tile and adhesives products supplier, which is based on the same Tunstall site, benefitted from having a presence in some of the 海角视频’s biggest DIY retailers which were classed as essential retailers during the lockdowns.
Overall, Norcros plc – which also owns the Triton and Merlyn brands – saw profits increase during the period, hailing a recovery from Covid-19.