It has been announced that another contract kitchens company, namely Exeter-based KCM Kitchens has ceased trading and has entered into a creditors voluntary liquidation (CVL) along with its retail business, Kettle & Co kitchens.
The news comes as the UK Kbb (kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms) sector sees continued misery and difficult trading conditions with a continued slow down to the residential home improvement, property development and contract kitchens markets.
KCM Kitchens was a specialist contract furniture manufacturer supplying made-to-order kitchens and furniture across the UK to its trade customers and employed more than employed 25 people and operated out of a 40,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Exeter.
Its sister company in the retail kitchens market, namely Kettle Co Kitchens, is also being liquidated. Kettle Co Kitchens had four showrooms, located in Plymouth, St Austell, Bodmin and Liskeard.
Chartered Accountants Bishop Fleming were appointed for both KCM Kitchens and Kettle Co Kitchens on September 24th, according to Companies House.
Bishop Fleming confirmed to a fellow Kbb publication (kbbreview) that ‘KCM and Kettle’s troubles were reportedly caused by a combination of factors, including increased staff and material costs, a reduction in consumer demand and a reduction in sales.’
In KCM Kitchens’ most recent accounts, filed up to the end of December 2022, the company said that its retail arm, Kettle, had “continued to operate profitably, on a similar level to previous years”. However, it admitted that KCM, the manufacturing arm, had experienced “challenges” and “encountered significant losses”.
Whilst Kettle Co Kitchens had been trading since 2007, the contract kitchens company KCM Kitchens had only been trading since April 2021.
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