Qualceram Shires reports €5.1m loss for 2005

The bathroom suite manufacturer and distributor Qualceram Shires has reported a pre-tax loss of €5.1m for 2005.

The group, which also includes the Selecta and Trent brands had made a profit of €5.85 for the previous year but set aside €6.1m to cover restructuring costs at its Langton plant in England.

Chief Executive John O'Loughlin has blamed the reverse on a challenging year for the bathroom sector due to intense competition, rising energy costs and subdued trade and retail sectors in the United Kingdom.

According to its end-of-year statement, the group maintained its leading market position in Ireland with a "very satisfactory" performance in 2005 and it expects to benefit from the anticipated SSIA spend later this year.