160 jobs lost as manufacturer appoints administrators

A kitchen manufacturer has made 160 staff redundant after failing to find a buyer and being forced into administration.

The UK division of Alno, based in Leeds, had been unaffected by the insolvency process that its German parent had entered into in July.

However its kitchens were manufactured in Germany and so there had been an impact on supply while there were additional concerns over the ability of the German parent to supply UK customers in the long term.

Stuart Wellburn, UK director of Alno UK, said: “We are desperately disappointed for our customers, loyal staff, suppliers and franchisees, all of whom have stuck by us over what has been a very challenging few months.”

Administrators have said they are “hopeful” that a deal will be completed for the business and its assets from among the offers they currently have.

Alno’s UK directors filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on September 8 and sought interested parties for a sale of the business, but that process failed.

Gareth Harris and Keith Marshall of RSM Restructuring Advisory have been appointed joint administrators. of Alno UK, which also traded via the Intoto franchise network.

“The UK directors have worked extremely hard in difficult circumstances to try and save what was a profitable and highly respected business,” said Harris.

“We fully appreciate that this will cause significant concern for those Alno and Intoto customers who have either recently had a kitchen installed or who have recently placed orders; and we would advise those customers to contact their local franchise in the first instance.”