400 carpet factory jobs at risk

More than 400 jobs at two textiles factories were threatened today after the plants’ parent company was placed in receivership.

The future of West Yorkshire-based company Carpets International (UK) Ltd’s operations in Co Down were in doubt after the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers business recovery partner Garth Calow as a joint administrative receiver.

Carpets International, which has its headquarters in Bradford, employs 1,190 people across the UK.

Its Northern Ireland operations consist of a carpet manufacturing plant in Donaghadee, employing 289 people, and a spinning plant in Killinchy with 144 workers.

Mr Calow said his appointment followed a “period of very difficult trading” for the company.

“Our immediate priority is to establish the precise financial and projected trading position of the Northern Ireland operations and assess options for the way forward.

“The Donaghadee and Killinchy operations contribute to Carpets International’s overall UK manufacturing capacity.

“Consequently, until the overall UK trading position is clarified it would be premature to speculate on future employment levels.”

Carpets International is Britain’s largest carpet manufacturer and trades under the Kossett, Wilton Royal and Abington brands.

The company acquired the Killinchy operation from Northern Ireland Spinners in 1999.

The Donaghadee factory was originally purchased under the CV Carpets acquisition by Shaw Industries in 1985.