How this Dewsbury kitchen firm is looking to the future following a rebrand

Dewsbury-based Rixonway was acquired in 2014 by Swedish listed business Nobia, which also owns Magnet CKS.

Mark Hughes, managing director at Rixonway Kitchens, will now become managing director of Magnet CKS, the brand name that the business will adopt going forward.

Mr Hughes said: “We are delighted to be operating as Magnet CKS, as we can offer our customers an unparalleled service proposition.

“With access to Magnet stores, we will be able to accommodate any size of project and budget and provide stock locally.

“For us, this means we can operate a ‘right-first-time’ ethos, together with single plot deliveries, at highly competitive and consistent price points for our customers.”

Rixonway Kitchens has been providing kitchens to the social and affordable housing market and private developers since 1978.

“We still have our core operational team working in the factory, our office team on site and our external designers and field sales team,” Mr Hughes added.

Magnet CKS has multiple factories across the UK and operates a national network of over 200 local stores and has a large-scale direct to site delivery service.

“Using the Magnet store network we will now be able to accommodate any size of project and budget by providing stock locally and can offer our customers single plot deliveries, at highly competitive and consistent price points,” Mr Hughes said.

The Dewsbury-based business has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak but remains confident about the future.

Mr Hughes said: “The plan is to continue to grow our market share in the Contract Kitchens Market. As with all businesses, we’re feeling the effects of Covid-19 on the business, but we are confident and optimistic for the future and that operating under Magnet CKS will enable us to continue to.”

Magnet CKS will have an overall headcount of 380 staff.

On the name change, Mr Hughes said: “Rixonway will forever remain at the heart of our business and operations but by leveraging the Magnet name we are providing enhanced service and benefits for all our customers.

“As part of Magnet CKS, we plan to keep a Rixonway Collection within our range in addition to our Magnet Collection, which means our much-loved, high quality kitchens are still available to social and private housing developers.”

Andy Gould, sales and operations director at Magnet, said: “Rixonway Kitchens has been offering quality kitchens for decades. By joining forces, it helps to broaden Magnet’s customer portfolio and our ability to offer a service to more varied customers.

“We will continue to focus on delivering market-leading service and product solutions to both private developers and social housing customers and can now offer a dedicated, easy solution product range across all price groups from budget to premium.”

Nobia Group is one of Europe’s largest kitchen suppliers with over 16 brands across the UK, Nordics and Central Europe.

In 2014, Nobia agreed a deal with August Equity and the management of Rixonway Kitchens, to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of Rollfold Holdings, which was the parent company of Rixonway Kitchens.

The purchase price consisted of an up-front consideration of £31m, on a cash and debt free basis, and a variable cash consideration of a maximum of £3m.

The deal was part of Nobia’s growth strategy.

Helping prisoners pick up skills

Rixonway Kitchens will continue to work closely with local charities and organisations, in particular with the Prison Service.

The business has been helping reduce unemployment by teaching prisoners new skills prior to being released.

Mark Hughes said: “Over the past 10 years, through our partnership with HM Prison service and Novus, Rixonway Kitchens pledged to help reduce worklessness by contributing towards the training of prisoners. We want to help them gain new vocational skills and give them a better chance of entering employment after being released.”