Bathroom fittings company Qualceram Shires said today its sales in the three months through January were 35 per cent lower than the same period a year earlier.
"Trading performance is being adversely affected by the unprecedented slow-down in the property market and the deepening economic downturn in Ireland and in the UK," the Arklow-based company said in a statement.
Qualceram said it remained in talks with one of its main landlords with a view to endings leases on a number of properties it no longer requires and has requested a waiver for any breach of property-related covenants.
The company is also in discussions with trustees of its pension scheme as the last 12 months have had an “adverse impact on fund performance”.
Qualceram will publish its preliminary results on February 27th.