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PRIVACY
Manufacturing

Furniture companies cease trading

Ashley Manor and Alexander & James Sofas suffered under sustained pressure across the sector, according to administrators

(Image: scu)

A brace of Midlands companies have ceased trading and their factories closed.

Furniture manufacturer Ashley Manor, which employed around 100 staff at its base in Dudley, and Nottinghamshire importer Alexander & James Sofas filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators at the end of August after which a search was launched to secure a new buyer.

The pair, both owned by TCM Living Group, have now entered administration through liquidation after the search proved unsuccessful.

Administrators from Opus Restructuring & Insolvency said all the parties which had initially expressed an interest withdrew, citing ongoing economic volatility and persistent industry headwinds as prohibitive factors.

Opus said the companies had suffered under sustained pressure across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ furniture manufacturing and import sectors, driven by inflationary increases in raw material costs, international shipping disruptions, price volatility, higher labour and reduced consumer demand for big-ticket items.

Andy Kennaugh, chief executive of TCM Living Group, said: "This has been an extremely difficult decision and one we deeply regret having to make.

"Despite our intensive efforts over recent weeks and the support we've received, we have exhausted all viable options for securing new ownership that would preserve these businesses.