An internal review prompted by challenging market conditions has led to the merger of Armour Group divisions Armour Home Electronics and Alphason Designs Limited.
The two businesses will be joined completely in order to streamline their operations and will work as a single entity called Armour Home.
A number of personnel changes have already taken place as a result of the merger. Chris Emerson, formerly COO at Alphason, takes up the role of Armour Home’s sales director. Now able to focus completely on sales, Emerson will be supported by UK independents sales manager Ashley Hutchinson, international sales manager Gordon Salter, all members of the Key Accounts team, and telesales/merchandising manager Gary McBride.
Kevin Taylor becomes operations director, whilst Nicky Spence will serve as AH finance director. Business development director Bob Abraham will continue to work alongside the R&D teams at both Armour Home and Armour’s Concept Design Centre.
The restructuring process means that ten posts have become redundant, with a corresponding reduction in staff numbers.
Managing director Glenn McClelland commented: “These changes will both consolidate and perpetuate Amour’s leading market position, ensuring a sound platform for future growth. We have embarked upon a course of action to fully integrate the two businesses into a single entity called ‘Armour Home’. Alphason, which accounts for around £20m of our £56m turnover, will of course clearly remain the most significant brand within the restructured organisation, but will now sit alongside the other Armour Home brands, rather than as a separate company.
“We anticipate it will take some months to fully complete this operation; however, the starting point is the integration of management functions with immediate effect.”
