Intelligent Homes bought in a pre-pack

A KNUTSFORD firm that installed futuristic devices in upmarket homes has been acquired in a pre-packaged administration.

Administrators Gary Lee and Paul Barber from Begbies Traynor in Manchester have handled the sale of Intelligent Homes to director Matthew Warnes.

He set up a new business called Style Audio Visual to conduct the deal.

Intelligent Homes, which employed 16 people and had sales of £2m in 2011, installed devices that control CCTV, home entertainment systems, and lighting.

It offered glass that automatically switches from clear to opaque, baths that run themselves and systems to block children’s entertainment systems until they’ve finished their homework. But the economic downturn hit orders.

Mr Lee said: “Recent losses as a result of the downturn in the economy and general recession have led to jobs being cancelled as clients ran out of funds.

“This sale has protected a number of jobs, which is a particularly good result given the fact it operates in the construction industry where business is struggling and there’s a shortage of secure roles.”

The scale of the firm’s debts and the amount paid for the business were not disclosed.