Floor coverings firm takes AIM at growth
Likewise Group, the fast-growing West Midlands floor covering distributor, has announced it is to float on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on the London Stock Exchange.
The company was founded by two former Headlam directors Tony Brewer and Andrew Simpson in December 2018 and initially listed on The International Stock Exchange in Guernsey, raising £7m.
On listing on AIM, Likewise will seek to raise around £10m to help accelerate its growth aspirations.
In its first two years, Likewise has grown rapidly, acquiring William Armes and the trade and assets of Bruce Starke & Co which have both now been fully integrated into the group.
Further acquisitions have included Lewis Abbott, Heatseam and H&V Carpets in 2019, and A&A in Manchester in 2020.
Chief executive officer Tony Brewer said: “The group has developed rapidly during the last two years and the foundations are now in place to build a substantial business in the UK flooring industry, maximising our relationship with our manufacturing partners, along with flooring retailers and contractors.”
He said that while the financial year to December 31, 2020, had been a challenging one due to the global pandemic, Likewise was now producing consistent profitability which, alongside control of working capital, had resulted in the company now being cash generative.
He added that since its establishment in 2018, the group had attracted “excellent” management, sales representatives and staff.
Likewise’s logistics network was significantly improved in January 2021 with the opening of the Morley Distribution Centre to augment regional centres in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sudbury and Peckham.
In addition, the group has just signed a leasehold agreement for Unit 4, Radial Park, at Birmingham Business Park which sits on the junction of the M6 and M42 and will accelerate growth in the Midlands and South West.
Brewer said: “The Likewise trade brand is becoming well established in many parts of the UK through the effort and customer relationships of our excellent people. There are huge opportunities to develop further this in existing and additional geographical areas.
“We have long established supplier relationships and a global supply base of 79 suppliers in 19 countries, including leading manufacturers in the UK, Europe, Turkey and the Far East.
“Our listing on AIM will provide us with the potential to drive this growth and enhance Likewise’s position as a market leading provider of floor coverings.”
