Kbb Births, Deaths and Deals - News has surfaced that long standing Kbb brand and kitchen door manufacturer Multiwood has entered administration, citing a “downturn in demand”.
The sustained and difficult trading conditions which has hit the Kbb sector for several years now, created cashflow difficulties for the family run business which it could not overcome, due to a continued downturn in demand.
Whilst the retail sector has been hit by the flagging UK economy more so than most sectors, the home improvement sector, along with mortgages and construction have been doubly hit by increasing costs and decreasing demand.
In such circumstances the ability to trade out simply sent there.
It was only a couple of months ago that big shed retailer B&Q stated that demand for 'big ticket' items such as full kitchens and full bathroom projects was currently "weak".
Whilst B&Q pointed to “resilient” seasonal sales, which it said helped to offset the poorer result for big-ticket items, independents and small Kbb manufactures like Multiwood dont have the same luxury.
For 30 years kitchen door manufacturer Multiwood had been selling its bespoke kitchen doors and accessories to consumers but mostly independent Kbb businesses and the Multiwood closure will be felt by those independents whom may not now get the products they have ordered in-turn for their own customers.
As of today, January 14th, the company officially entered administration, with FRP Advisory listed as the administrators.
Simon Farr of corporate advisory firm FRP Advisory and joint administrator of Multiwood Products Limited, said: “Multiwood Products has been a trusted supplier in the sector for three decades.
“Unfortunately, due to the challenging trading conditions prevalent in the industry, most notably a downturn in demand, the business has been unable to meet its financial obligations and has therefore ceased operations.
“Our focus now is on supporting the affected employees with their claims to the Redundancy Payments Service and winding down the affairs of the business.”
FRP Advisory also said that it is interested in speaking with parties looking to purchase excess stock from Multiwood, who should contact Oliver.Oakes@FRPadvisory.com.
Andrew Greenhouse, Multiwood’s national sales manager was mentioned by industry publication KbbReview, to have said that the news of the administration came “as a real surprise and shock”, citing that staff had been told the business had been bought in 2024 and that a new owner was in place with Greenhouse also said to be told that the new owner had 'planned to invest in the business to ensure its future growth.'
On Companies House, Multiwood is also listed as being overdue to file its next financial accounts, which were due to be filed on December 31st, 2024.
Although the business founded by Doug Allan saw Doug's children Caroline and Benjamin join Multiwood Products Limited as directors in 2013 and 2016 respectively, ownership of the business was via Multiwood Holdings Limited however.
Glenn Monkman was appointed as a director at Multiwood Holdings Limited in August 2024 and is currently listed as the only owner upon Companies House and this company filing occurred upon the same day that cessation of Douglas Anthony Allan as a person with significant control (in Multiwood Holdings Limited) was also listed.
Although not confirmed, this would support the comments from Multiwood’s national sales manager Andrew Greenhouse, that the business was sold in 2024.
Multiwoods' Doug Allan - Kitchen Manufacturing Pioneer
The landscape for kitchens in the UK has changed dramatically over the last 30 years and kitchen door manufacturer Multiwood founder Doug Allan was at the heart of it, helping the rise of the kbb independent.
When Allan founded Multiwood the majority of kitchen cabinet doors that were available at the time were solid wood unless you went to MFI, B&Q or IKEA.
But changing consumer tastes saw demand for a new way of designing kitchens that the big sheds couldn't offer. Whilst the big sheds offered cheap kitchens, independents offered superior design, knowledge and customer service, which a sales rep at B&Q just couldn't offer.
If you could offer an affordable design and reduce the price gap between an independent and a chain such as MFI and B&Q, you were onto a winner.
Enter Doug Allan and Multiwood.
Doug recognised the issues that the independent were having and when he introduced a new style of door to the market, namely timber doors with a veneered centre panel, not only did this reduce the cost of manufacturing and production, but it also made the product more stable and durable.
Multiwood, along with PWS, Wickes and Howdens, which was spun out from MFI certainly changed the UK kitchen industry landscape and the manufacturing abilities and lower costs of Multiwood et al, did certainly help fuel the rise of the kbb independent.
Other Kbb Births, Deaths and Deals News: B&Q will buy five Homebase stores in the UK / Mereway Bathrooms is the latest Kbb brand to enter liquidation / New Schuller retailer opens / KCM Kitchens has ceased trading /