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Having built up an inevitable reputation in the world of publishing, Sir Roger Martin commissioned a purpose-built warehouse facility for his company - Index Books - on Garrard Way in Kettering some ten years ago, which has just been sold to another well-known local company, Walls and Floors Limited.
Whilst this headquarters building provided Index Books with the capability to sell in excess of 100,000 books a weeks, it also attracted interested from publishing companies and was subsequently sold to Pengiun Books.
In more recent times, the 93,000 sq ft building has been occupied Walls and Floors Limited, which like the former tenant - Index Books - started in 1987 from a small warehouse unit with minimal staff; growing to today be a leading tile specialist.
Walls and Floors has now made a further commitment to retain this facility and has completed a freehold acquisition of the impressive three-storey headquarters building. Local commercial property agent Prop-Search acted on behalf of Sir Roger Martin in the sale.
John Steel, Operations Director of Walls and Floors, said: “We are now the largest online retailer of tiles in the UK and with our newly acquired distribution headquarters, this stability of occupation will assist in our aspirations to grow our market share of web based tiles sales, which already accounts for 30% of the market.”
“Telford Way is a popular trading location providing direct access to the A14, which has led to a number of national occupiers establishing a base within the estate, said Ian Harman, a Director of Prop-Search. He added: “But as well as the buildings location, it also made good sense for Walls and Floors to purchase the property in which it had already invested in with its bespoke fit-out.”
Walls and Floors ship millions of tiles each year and the property house its teams of web development, customer service, retail and trade sales, merchandising, procurement, transport and warehouse departments. The company’s product range have appeared in the likes of Grand Designs Magazine, Real Homes and Living and has an impressive portfolio of designer tile ranges, too with names such as Laura Ashley, Versace and Porcelanosa, and partnerships with British Ceramic Tile and Johnson Tiles.