29 March 2024, 02:38
By Furniture News Jan 26, 2023

Sofamaker explores factory consolidation

TCM Living, which owns uphostery brands Ashley Manor Upholstery (AMU), Alexander & James and AMX Design, is exploring a strategic proposal to transfer its AMU and Alexander & James production activity from the East Midlands – which includes the production unit in Sutton-in-Ashfield and its wood mill in Alfreton – to Dudley.

The company says the proposed consolidation of the locations of the operational sites "would ensure the brands are best positioned for sustainable and long-term growth, delivering a consistent service proposition for customers across the group".

As a result of this proposal, the business entered a consultation period with staff in the East Midlands sites earlier this week.

All other TCM Living subsidiaries are unaffected, and "it remains business as usual", notes the company's statement.

Jonathan Fearn, CEO, TCM Living (pictured), comments: “As a group, we must always ensure we are operating optimally across all our businesses, to deliver a top-class proposition to our customers within this competitive marketplace. The proposal to consolidate follows extensive consideration. We are liaising closely with impacted colleagues as we progress this necessary future-proofing step, positioning all our brands for sustainable growth.”

TCM Living adds that the proposal is to consolidate the locations of the operational sites rather than the operations themselves (the Alexander and James assembly operation, for example, would still remain separate from AMU manufacturing, but would be located closer geographically to the existing Dudley factory), and that it is too early to comment on how the move will affect staffing numbers.

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