Member Article

Yorkshire water plants grower bought out of administration

A specialist Yorkshire hydroponic product retailer has been bought out of administration by Warwick-based GroWell Hydroponics Group, in the process ensuring the business will retain a presence in the county.

Aquaculture Hydroponics was placed into administration in July 2013, and Robert Dymond and Lisa Jane Hogg of independent insolvency practitioners Wilson Field were appointed as joint administrators.

Formed in 1996, Aquaculture Hydroponics - experts in growing plants in aquatic based, soilless environments - had operated from premises in Sheffield, Barnsley and Ripley.

However, before being placed into administration, the company closed its Barnsley and Ripley sites, leaving only the Sheffield facility on Parkway Drive.

Wilson Field worked closely with Aquaculture Hydroponics to restructure the company’s management team and supported its purchase by the GroWell Hydroponics Group.

GroWell Hydroponics is the UK’s leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening equipment and has seven shops across the country. The Sheffield site will be the Group’s first in Yorkshire.

Robert Dymond, insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field, said: “Following the closure of the Barnsley and Ripley premises, before Wilson Field were appointed, there was a definite possibility the Sheffield site would close too.

“However, the company did have a long-standing reputation for selling specialist hydroponic products whilst also operating as a manufacturer and developer of plant nutrient and stimulant mixtures.

“Working with them throughout the administration process has allowed us to restructure its operations and oversee the purchase of the company’s assets, meaning the Sheffield site can remain open under the GroWell Hydroponics Group of stores.

The Recoveries Team at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield advised the administrators on the sale of the business, negotiating and completing the sale on their behalf.

Wilson Field provides complete business recovery, insolvency and personal debt solutions to businesses and individuals across the UK.

The insolvency specialist works to recover businesses which are in financial trouble or insecurity, while also offering debt solutions to companies and individuals. Last year, Wilson Field helped to save more than 1,500 jobs and 90 businesses across the UK.

With a head office in Sheffield, Wilson Field was formed in 2001 and employs more than 80 people across eight regional offices.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .