200 jobs axed at ailing Pilkington’s

HISTORIC North West ceramic tile maker Pilkington’s Group has made 204 staff redundant at its headquarters in Greater Manchester.

The staff, based at its factory and offices in Swinton, are understood to have been told late on Friday.

The company – which was founded in 1891 – was placed in administration last Monday after a cashflow crisis caused by the recession.

The redundancies mean that a total of 139 staff now work at the Swinton site.

Paul Flint, joint administrator and restructuring associate partner at KPMG, said: “Unfortunately, on assessing the demand for the company’s products, it has been necessary to make 204 staff redundant. 

“Negotiations with customers are ongoing and we are hopeful that we will be able to recommence production of terrazzo flooring and the ceramic products in the Swinton factory in Greater Manchester early next week.

“We continue to work hard on securing a buyer for the business, either in distinct parts or as a whole. 

“To date, a great deal of buyer interest has been shown in the terrazzo and ceramics production.”

Paul Flint and Brian Green from KPMG Restructuring are now looking for buyers of Pilkington’s Group which consists of Pilkington’s Tiles and Quiligotti Access Flooring.

The company also has a site in Poole, in Dorset, which includes a quarry with the capacity for 350,000 tons of heavy clay which is used in the manufacture of vitrified floor tiles. 

Last Thursday, the administrators confirmed that production at Poole would not recommence resulting in 37 staff losing their jobs. 

The company also has a showroom and factory shop in Audenshaw, Tameside.