Impulse Bathrooms expected to snap up Ideal Standard plant

Group managing director of
Imperial Bathroom Products, Jan Klomp

Chinese manufacturer Impulse Bathrooms is said to be striking a deal with Ideal Standard over the purchase of its Middlewich factory.
The news follows Impulse Bathrooms announcement [Kitchens & Bathrooms News, February 2011 issue] it was seeking to acquire a ceramic manufacturing plant 'with a strong preference for a UK location'.
This was around the same time Ideal Standard announced its Middlewich factory closure.
Almost 250 people lost their jobs when Ideal Standard shut the doors of its Middlewich plant but this deal could see a  rumoured 150 jobs created.
Although details of the deal remain firmly under wraps, Impulse Bathrooms has been recruiting for staff in the local area.
Group managing director of [parent company] Imperial Bathroom Products, Jan Klomp commented: "The rumours in East Cheshire have been for a while the 'Chinese' are coming...But they [local press and residents] have finally put two and two together. Our pre-recruitment for staff and presence in Middlewich over the last 10 days has generated an interest. We will refrain from any further comments."

A statement issued by Ideal Standard read: "Ideal Standard International can confirm that it is engaged in ongoing meaningful discussions with Imperial Bathroom Products Ltd regarding the potential purchase of its Middlewich facility. To this date nothing has been concluded."

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