Breaking news: Bathroom manufacturer in administration

MORE than 40 staff have been made redundant after a bathroom manufacturer was placed in administration.

Shires has two trading divisions: Bradford-based Shires and Shaws based in Darwen, Lancashire.

Both have been placed in administration but because the Bradford operation was making heavy losses 45 out of 68 employees have been made redundant.

Hunter Kelly and John Sumpton of Ernst & Young were today appointed joint administrators of Qualceram and Shires, the UK arm of Qualceram Shires, headquartered in Arklow, Ireland.

Shires manufactures and distributes bathroom suites and fittings under the Shires, Selecta and Trent brand names employing 77 people.

Shaws manufactures and distributes fireclay sinks and architectural terracotta products and employs 82 people.

Mr Kelly said: “Despite their efforts the board had no alternative but to appoint administrators.

“The Shires business has been making heavy losses for sometime, exacerbated by the downturn in the economy and particularly due to a fall in the development of new housing.

“Shaws is a profitable business that should attract interest from potential buyers and we hope to be able to sell it as a going concern.”