Tile manufacturer blames cash flow problems as it becomes the latest victim of recent tough trading conditions in the furniture and floorcoverings sector.
Paul Flint and Brian Green from KPMG Restructuring have been appointed joint administrators of Pilkington's Group plc, as well as Pilkington's Tiles (Ireland) td and Quiligotti Access Flooring Ltd.

While there have been no immediate staff redundancies, 380 jobs are at risk, as the administrators assess the position of the company.

Pilkington's Goup plc, which is based in Swinton, Greater Manchester, manufactures and supplies wall and floor tiles to a number of builders merchants and retailers, including B&Q, Homebase, John Lewis, Wolesey and Asda.

The company also has a site in Poole, Dorset, which includes a quarry, as well as a showroom and factory in Audenshaw, Tameside and a facility in Swords, Dublin.

KPMG associate partner Paul Flint said: "Pilkington's Group has suffered intense cash flow pressures as a result of recent adverse trading conditions. Indeed, it's no coincidence that the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor indicated that furniture and floor coverings were the worst-performing sectors within retail, highlighting the reluctance of consumers to commit to big-ticket purchases while uncertainty over the future looms."

He added, "We intend to trade the Pilkington's Group business while we seek purchaser for the company and its assets, and would encourage any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible."