Jobs at risk as Kleeneze goes under
AROUND 5,000 agents working for catalogue firm Kleeneze face being shown the door after the 95-yearold business collapsed.
And around 140 staff also risk losing their jobs now the firm has ceased trading and been plunged into administration.
Kleeneze sold cleaning products, gifts and homewares through a network of selfemployed door-to-door agents.
David Acland, joint administrator at FRP Advisory, said: “Tough trading conditions have resulted in the administration.”
A buyer is being sought for the business but FRP warned that 69 jobs at its HQ in Accrington, Lancs, and 71 at the warehouse in Heywood, 15 miles away, are in jeopardy.
Kleeneze dates back to 1923 when founder Harry Crook set up in a broom cupboard in Bristol selling simply brushes.
Currently owned by Dallas-based holding company JRJR Networks, it was at one stage linked to Xmas hamper firm Farepak, which collapsed in 2006.
The last accounts filed for Kleeneze show a loss of £3.3million in 2016 on turnover of £21million. One agent last night said: “The customer pays for the product when it’s delivered. “There is no outlay by the agent other than the £20 sign up fee. If the customer doesn’t want the product, the agent sends it back. No money lost.” Usdaw is seeking talks with FRP. Annette Bott, from the union, said: “This is a difficult time for staff.”