Armatile Ltd, the well-respected multi-faceted tile company from Northern Ireland, has joined ABCD Distributors Ltd, a group of six long-established and respected UK-based independent tile distributors and retailers.

Announcing the news Nick Braybrooke of CT Ipswich stated: “As Chairman of ABCD Distributors Ltd … I am delighted to announce that today Armatile Limited joined the group. This exciting news further enhances ABCD as a strong and compelling route to market across the UK for tile industry suppliers.”

Armatile, founded in 1975, is a highly respected specialist manufacturer, distributor and retailer with showrooms in Armagh, Belfast, Newry, and Dublin. This hugely influential company brings a wealth of experience to the ABCD group, whose existing members are CT Ipswich Ltd, Boyden Tiles & Bathrooms, Craven Dunnill Group, Collinson Ceramics Limited, and Yorkshire Tile Company.

In a era where the UK tile distribution and retail sector looks increasingly dominated by large retailers like Topps Tiles, and Tile Mountain, or specialist distributors serving the contract and housebuilding sectors, this network of powerful regional players should find a fertile market. The Armature expansion should also silence doubters who had questioned ABCD’s long-term future following the loss of previous members such as Tile Flair and HTW.