Huntingdon bed factory bought by furniture giant

BED manufacturer Myer’s has been lifted out of administration after being bought by furniture giant Steinhoff International.

The Huntingdon company was previously part of the Hilding Anders empire, a Scandinavian firm whose brands included Slumberland.

But the workforce at the Windover Road factory has been cut in recent years, with 70 people being made redundant in 2011 and a further 70 jobs under threat last summer.

The sale by the administrators was confirmed late yesterday (Tuesday) by Steinhoff UK’s managing director Andy Murdoch in a deal including Slumberland, Staples and Dunlopillo.

Staff were told of the acquisition at 9am this morning by Mr Murdoch, who said in a statement: “We feel privileged to be part of the future of these iconic brands that have been operating in the bedding manufacturing industry over many years, all of which have their own specialities within all market sectors.”

Mr Murdoch, who described Myer’s as a market leader when at its best, said the Huntingdon factory would be retained and even expanded.

“We intend to keep manufacturing at the Huntingdon site and indeed we have plans for substantial growth and investment over the coming years,” he said.

“I am sure that the workforce will be heartened to see the investment we are making in the UK bedding sector.”