In a further blow to the tiling sector and wider kbb industry, UK-based supplier Fired Earth has entered administration, resulting in the immediate redundancy of all 133 employees.
Dane O’Hara and Neil Bennett of Leonard Curtis were appointed as joint administrators on October 31 and are now working to secure a sale of the company’s assets to an undisclosed buyer. However, any potential deal will not include the transfer of staff.
As part of the process, all Fired Earth retail locations are set to close. The company’s head office and warehouse in Banbury will remain operational temporarily to fulfil outstanding customer orders, with trading continuing from existing inventory during the wind-down period.
Founded in Oxfordshire in 1983, Fired Earth built its reputation as a premium tiling supplier, later expanding into paint and rugs in recent years.
Despite generating nearly £15 million in turnover in its latest financial results, the business reported a £1.6 million loss in 2024, following a similar deficit the previous year. At the time of its collapse, the company operated 20 UK showrooms, alongside two international locations in Denmark and Norway.
Administrator Dane O’Hara said the business had been loss-making for an extended period and had relied on significant financial support from its shareholder over the past three years. While efforts were made to restore profitability, ongoing trading losses and the absence of a credible turnaround plan led the investor to withdraw further funding.
Leonard Curtis had initially been brought in to review the company’s position, but concluded that restructuring was not viable in its current form.
A sales process was subsequently launched, attracting interest from several parties in acquiring certain assets. However, no offers were received that would preserve jobs or retain store locations, therefore resulting in the loss of all jobs as Fired Earth enters administration.
News that Fired Earth enters administration follows on from last year’s news that major tiling retailer CTD Tiles was entering administration. However, Topps Tiles later acquired its brand and assets, along with 30 of its stores so there is speculation that Topps Tiles may swoop for the Fired Earth brands and add it to its growing portfolio, given it doesnt require additional manufacturing or retail footprint.
Other Kbb News: BiKBBI rebrands as the BIFIS / Wren sheds 500 jobs amid £15m net loss / German kitchen industry shows signs of recovery / Administrators give insight into the collapse of Waterline /
