An Ayrshire firm which plunged into administration last month has been snapped up.
Ayrshire Live can reveal that five jobs have been saved at the former office furniture supplier, 2NDHND Ltd, based in Dundonald.
The firm, in Drybridge Road, fell into administration on Monday, October 17.
Henderson Loggie LLP and Larking Gowen LLP, took the reigns as joint administrators.
Now the firm has been acquired by Edinburgh-based commercial furniture expert, Bureau Group.
The owners claim that the move will help create UK’s first “large-scale circular marketplace” for commercial furniture, save five jobs at 2NDHAND Ltd- as well as “decades of industry-leading skills, expertise, and experience”
The owners are also aiming to expand, with the promise of further jobs “down the line,” including apprenticeships.
The new roles will include “design-focused” positions as part of plans to ramp up the standard and expectation of refurbished furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).
Bureau Group aims to use the plant in Dundonald as part of a new “remanufacture facility” which will see furniture from large corporates, small and medium-sized enterprises and the public sector completely refurbished to ‘Category 1’ condition – almost new – and ready to be resold or redistributed to charities, schools and other not-for-profits, avoiding the need for furniture to go to landfill.
Already, more that 17,000 pieces of furniture are in the warehouse ready to be redistributed.
Co-founders Andy and Jennifer Russell say the acquisition is a ’pivotal moment’ for their firm.
Andy Russell, managing director at Bureau Group, said: “This acquisition means we can create a genuine opportunity for firms to make a different decision on the way they buy furniture that is more cost effective and also helps to save the planet.”
Jennifer Russell, co-founder and group operations director at Bureau Group, said: “We are pleased to rescue the industry-leading skills and experience here in Scotland and add it to our offering as part of our plans to build a stable market.”
Shona Campbell, partner at administrator Henderson Loggie LLP, said: “Bureau Group presented an ambitious, exciting and most importantly viable plan for the future of the business, and Henderson Loggie LLP is delighted the ongoing employment of five people has been secured.
“We wish Bureau Group and its employees the best of luck with the venture.”
Bureau Group has branches in Glasgow, London and US tech hub Seattle.
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