Triumph Furniture collapses resulting in over 250 job losses

As reported by the BBC, a furniture company has gone bust with 252 job losses after reporting “a catastrophic collapse in orders”

Triumph Furniture of Merthyr Tydfil, which has bases in the town and Dowlais, supplied more than 600 furniture sellers, as well as being a major supplier of central government.
The firm went into administration on Tuesday, after an “unprecedented fall in sales” over the last 10 weeks.
Administrators said 239 jobs will go immediately. The remaining 13 will be kept on in the short-term to help administrators.
It was established in 1946 as a family-run business, with CEO Andrew Jackson describing its demise as fast.
He said: “The family is devastated by this appalling outcome and are extremely concerned for the welfare of all Triumph employees and their families at this terrible time.
“The business has suffered a rapid and catastrophic collapse in orders since the middle of July, which has been impossible to recover from, despite every effort.”
He said Triumph had enjoyed “incredible loyalty and support” from the people of Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding valleys, which has been a “key element” in its success and longevity.
“All connected with the business over these years should be very proud of what has been achieved,” he added.
How were staff told the news?
A contractor said staff thought the writing was on the wall but were not expecting the company to fold this side of Christmas.
“A driver told me that over the last few months the work has been going down and down,” he said.
“He had driven just two chairs to Aberdeen. When you’re doing that, you know the business is in trouble ”
“It was heartbreaking to see them walking back up slowly having been told they had lost their jobs,” the contractor added.
“Most of the staff left immediately.I’ve been told there are just three staff remaining in the loading bay area to remove the rest of the stock and show auctioneers around.”
A worker leaving the site said he was “gutted”, adding: “Work has slackened off, but I didn’t expect it to shut.”
He said: “Tomorrow, wake up, try looking for a job. Trying my best. I’ve got four kids, a mortgage, money’s got to come in.”

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