Bathroom and kitchen retailer with $17 million turnover and 50 staff collapses

A NSW-based retailer of bathroom and kitchen products, with $17 million in turnover is up for sale, following the appointment of voluntary administrators.

The company, trading as Renovation Boys, registered for voluntary administration on February 25, with administrators Vaughan Neil Strawbridge and Jason M Tracy from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu appointed.

It stopped trading on March 1 and its financial position is under review. Renovation Boys has stock of around $1.3 million, with the future of its 43 full-time staff and seven casual staff uncertain.

Deloitte restructuring services partner Jason Tracy told SmartCompany some employees have been stood down as a result of the store closures.

“We understand this is a difficult time for employees and we are keeping them updated on developments,” he says.

The business retails bathroom, kitchen and laundry fittings from two leased premises in NSW – one in Camperdown and the other in North Parramatta, with adjoining warehouses. It also has showrooms, IT platforms and fit-outs.

Tracy says a full review of the company’s financial position and operations is underway.

“To conduct an assessment of the available stock situation and reconcile this with customer payments and orders made before our appointment, we were required to close the business to further trading effective March 1,” he says.

“There will be no further sales or deliveries until the administrators have a better understanding of the stock situation.

“To resolve this uncertainty around stock and customer orders, we are seeking Court directions on a number of matters on March 5. As soon as a judgment is released, and hopefully later this week, we will advise customers of next steps.”

Tracy was unable to provide specific numbers of customers affected by the appointment and store closures, however suggests customers who have paid deposits for goods by credit card may wish to contact their credit card company.

“We are also seeking expressions of interest in the sale of the business.”

The first meeting for creditors is due to be held on March 6 at the Deloitte offices in Parramatta.

The website for Renovation Boys is currently not operating.