More than 140 jobs have been lost after what was said to be the UK’s biggest wholesale distributors of healthy, natural and organic products went bust.
Tree of Life UK Limited, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and sister company Health Stores (Wholesale) Limited in Nottingham went into administration blaming tough market conditions and the loss of a big client.
Administrators Chris Pole and Ryan Grant from Interpath Advisory were brought in to oversee the affairs on August 22.
They said 206 employees are located across the two company sites with 63 retained to help oversee the sale of assets and help the administrators with their work.
The remaining 143 members of staff have been made redundant.
The administrators said: “The companies form part of the UK’s largest independent health food and wellness products distribution platform, supplying a broad range of third party and owned brand goods, food and drink, personal care, and vitamins, minerals and supplements.
“Over recent months, the group has faced a number of challenges including an unexpected sales decline following the loss of a large customer, and unprecedented market conditions that have impacted on financial performance.
“Despite significant efforts by the company to avoid insolvency, the directors reached the conclusion that it was in the best interest of creditors for the company to be placed into administration.
“The Joint Administrators are exploring a number of options including seeking a buyer for the businesses, their assets and intellectual property.”
Chris Pole, managing director at Interpath and Joint Administrator, said: “Regrettably, the loss of business from a key customer, together with the effects of the well documented economic headwinds, including inflationary pressures, have been incredibly challenging for Tree of Life UK Limited and Health Stores (Wholesale) Limited.
“Our immediate priority is to assist those members of staff who have been made redundant, and provide them with the information they require to make appropriate claims.”
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