Lechner back in UK

Despite its decision to pull out of the UK earlier this year, Lechner has now returned with its worktops which are available through sole supplier and distributor Jetstone. Although, it was claimed at the time, by Lechner UK office staff, the decision to exit the UK was based on not achieving enough orders, managing director of Jetstone Verkoop John van den Heuvel slammed the allegation: “Lechner’s exit was not solely based on lack of order, the sales figures from the last two and a half years suggest that it was a steady growth, with a forecast to do somewhere in the region of £1.5million by the end of this year.”

He continued: “If after you have cut your overheads down and it’s still not adding up in a time of recession, and then another dip in the economy is predicted, it’s time to make decision and that is what they did.”

Although the UK climate is still troubled, Jetstone explains it has been able to reduce Lechner’s overhead costs, to be able to reintroduce the worktop brand. John van den Heuvel stated: “When we approached Lechner to look at bringing the products back over, it was, for them an ideal solution as they already operate in a very similar way in France, Spain and a few other countries. Jetstone for them is an ideal partner, we have reduced their overheads to transport into Holland, and we take care of the rest.”

Jetstone already supplies granite and quartz worktops to around 120 customers and used to supply the Moben business nationally. By adding the Lechner worktop offer of glass, solid surface and laminates, it is set bolster the offer and expand Jetstone’s retail base.

According to Van den Heuvel, there will be no difference in terms of delivery, lead time or after care service, and the company has even employed Gary Holt of Lechner UK in a similar position to the one he held as technical sales manager.

And he firmly believes the Lechner brand will now remain in the UK, stating that Jetstone does not need to achieve any sales targets to keep the business: “Sales figures aren’t important to us and have not been set by Jetstone or Lechner, at any level. Jetstone as a company are already successful in their own right in the UK. We do not need the Lechner products to survive or grow. We see the synergy as an extension of our portfolio and not a stand-alone.

“Jetstone are financially stable and a solid ‘Gentleman’s agreement’ between two of the largest worksurface manufacturers in Europe and Jetstone’s absolute commitment to the UK ensures that the products are here to stay.”

Jetstone's UK office is based in Hemel Hempstead.

For more news, views, product trends and interviews, make sure you get a FREE issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News