The directors of cabinet furniture importer Kettle Interiors, which went into administration last week, are thought to be exploring options for the business’ future.
On 24th March, Gary Shankland and Ken Pattullo of Begbies Traynor were appointed joint administrators of Kettle Interiors UK Ltd. The three decades-established, family-run business sold furniture under a number a brands, including Mambo and Mint, to UK and European retailers, but had begun to struggle financially due to escalating shipping costs since the onset of the pandemic, states the administrator.
The company employed 126 people at its Macadam Road trading address in Corby, all of whom have been made redundant.
Thomas McKay says: “Due to the economic challenges facing the furniture sector, particularly the significant increase in freight costs since Covid in the last two or three years, Kettle Interiors has reluctantly been placed into administration. All staff have unfortunately had to be made redundant for reasons of insolvency and we are currently working with PACE and local government departments to ensure all staff receive support and their full entitlements at this difficult time."
The family-run business has been established for more than 30 years, and grew to be one of the UK’s biggest wholesalers of cabinet furniture, much of which was made in its factory in Vietnam.
A director told The Furnishing Report last week that the business was restructuring, and that further updates would follow in due course. The website added that two of Kettle’s directors, Stuart Caddy and Ian Kettle, have joined the board of a newco named Kettle Home, which may or may not be related to the restructuring process.
