Jobs secured as Plumbs is sold out of administration

A specialist textiles manufacturer based in Preston has been bought out of administration in a prepack deal that has secured 239 jobs.

Plumbs, a fourth-generation family business which specialises in furniture cover, curtain and reupholstery, has been acquired by a new trading company called Sarah Plumb.

 The business, which has its headquarters in Ashton-on-Ribble,  has faced "significant challenges" recently due to trading underperformance and increased operating costs, according to PwC, who were appointed as administrators earlier this month.

PwC has now completed a sale of the majority of the business and assets of the company to the new trading company.  As part of the deal, all existing orders are being honoured.

 Those behind the deal say the family restructure and investment will streamline the company ownership to those actively involved in its day-to-day operation and development.

 The business, which started life on a market stall in the 1950s, retains its current managing director Sarah Page, granddaughter of its founders.

 She said: “Here at Plumbs, we’re specialists in renewal, and now is the time to turn this lens on ourselves.

 "This marks the start of a new chapter for the next generation of our family, who remain committed to the promises of outstanding quality and friendly service that the company was founded on.

 "I’m delighted to be retaining our skilled team and continuing to champion British manufacturing and sustainable solutions in the furniture industry.”

 The deal saw two redundancies relating to the minimal remaining business and assets not included in the sale.