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Double rescue to revive iconic Axminster Carpets
Website Editor • March 23, 2020
In an imaginative industry initiative, Axminster Carpets has been saved from administration by not just one rescuer, but two!
The retail business will go forward in a partnership with Cavalier Carpets and invest in five existing residential ranges – three stock tufted ranges manufactured in Blackburn and two exclusive ‘woven to order’ collections that will continue to be made at the factory in Axminster, Devon.
ACL Carpets Limited backed by a consortium of UK private investors and industry leaders and will continue to operate from its head office and manufacturing facility in Axminster. This business will specialise in the high-end bespoke commercial work for hotels, period buildings, cruise ships, airlines and trains.
The administrators, Duff & Phelps, said the speed with which the situation has been resolved and the structure of the deal should provide “a stable financial platform, ensuring long-term viability.”
The retail company retains the Axminster brand and will be run as a separate entity at the Cavalier site in Blackburn. This operation has acquired several hundred rolls of stock, some equipment, as well as merchandising including point-of-sale.
Nathan Lowe, MD of Cavalier Carpets and of the new Axminster Carpets retail operation, commented: “We are committed to investing in the brand, the stock and future product ranges to return the brand to past successes and in doing so will continue to support both tufted and axminster methods of manufacture.”
serious underinvestment in the past resulting in availability and
service shortcomings.
“We will deliver the unrivalled quality that the Axminster Carpets brand is famous for, alongside the service standards that the brand deserves. We look forward to working with retailers to make this a great British manufacturing success story,” said Nathan.
Following some consolidation of the product portfolio, flagship tufted ranges Devonia, Simply Naturals and Moorland Twist have been selected to benefit immediately from this boost. Woven ranges such as Myth & Moor and Hazy Days will be custom made to order in Devon, with a 4 to 5 week delivery schedule.
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