Tile Giant Sold Back To New Owners In Pre-Pack Administration Deal

Less than a month after being acquired by Stiled Ltd - a company owned by former Topps Tiles CEO Matt Williams - administrators were appointed to Tile Giant, which has been immediately sold back to Stiled and another company, as part of an interconnected transaction.

Neil Morley and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to TG Realisations 2023 Limited (‘the Company’), trading as Tile Giant, on 13 February 2023.

Headquartered in Leeds and operating from more than 80 stores across the UK, Tile Giant is a leading retailer and trade supplier of ceramic tiles, tools, accessories and underfloor heating products.

Like many other companies in the retail and home improvement sector, the Company had experienced significant trading difficulties over the course of 2022.

The Company was recently acquired in January 2023, following which the new management team undertook a review of the business and as part of this process determined that there was a greater funding requirement than had been initially anticipated. In addition, the level of creditor pressure experienced by the Company was increasing, with a number of creditors beginning to take action in relation to unpaid arrears and reducing their credit terms to the Company.

After reviewing their options, including running an accelerated sales process, the directors took the difficult decision to file for the appointment of administrators.

Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators sold the business and assets of the Company to two parties, as part of an interconnected transaction:

• Stiled Holdings Limited: The sale of the trading name, goodwill and the business and assets, including the transfer of employees at 56 stores and head office, resulting in continued employment for 255 members of staff.
• CTD Tiles Limited: The sale of the business and assets, including the transfer of employees at 13 stores, resulting in continued employment for 48 members of staff.

Under both of these sale agreements, which were interconnected and completed simultaneously, a total of 303 employees were transferred to the purchasers.

Unfortunately, 13 stores are not included as part of either transaction and have been closed with immediate effect. It is therefore with regret that the joint administrators have made 43 redundancies. The joint administrators will be providing support to those impacted as a matter of priority.

Neil Morley, director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “While retailers specialising in DIY and home improvement enjoyed a period of growth during the pandemic, the squeeze on disposable income caused by the current cost-of-living crisis is now starting to place significant pressure on cashflow.”

“We’re therefore pleased to have been able to secure these two transactions which will enable the majority of the Company’s stores to continue to trade, and importantly, safeguards a significant number of jobs.”

Matt Williams, CEO of Stiled Holdings Ltd, said: “Today is an important day for all stakeholders at Tile Giant, and particularly for its customers. Our focus as the new owner will be to put the customer at the centre of everything we do; that starts with ensuring that all existing orders are honoured and fulfilled in a timely and convenient way. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Tile Giant back to growth, profitability and unleash the potential of the brand.”

Katie Clapham, CTD’s HR & Marketing Director, welcomed the new colleagues to CTD. She said: “We want all of our CTD colleagues, to feel part of our growth story and provide them the possibility to actively engage in delivering success. We are looking forward to welcoming our new team members.”

The transaction will expand CTD’s nationwide network of branches and bolster its commitment to being one of the UK’s leading omni-channel specialist tile distributors.

AURELIUS (the owner of CTD) made the following statement:

AURELIUS announces the add-on acquisition of 13 UK branches from Tile Giant to CTD Tiles Limited. The transaction will expand CTD’s nationwide network of branches and bolster its commitment to being one of the UK’s leading omni-channel specialist tile distributors.

CTD’s core philosophy of placing customer service at the centre of its business will be extended to these new branches. CTD, with AURELIUS´ support, will seek to manage the transition in ownership and rebranding with minimal disruption to customers.

CTD Tiles Limited is a UK-based specialist supplier of high-quality ceramic tiles operating across 89 branches and 4 trading distribution hubs. The company predominantly sells tiles, tile adhesives, grout as well as associated tools and consumables for the preparation, laying, cutting and drilling of tiles. CTD’s leading B2B market position is supported by strong brand awareness of its Gemini product line.

Tile Giant Limited is a multi-channel trade supplier and retailer of ceramic tiles, tools, accessories and underfloor heating products to both trade and retail customers through its network of branches and its website.

Source : Interpath Advisory and AURELIUS

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.