As tipped by Appliance Retailer, EDIS the spare parts arm of the disgraced Kleenmaid organisation has been sold, not to mention the Kleenmaid Customer Solutions (KCS) service and maintenance business.
An ex employee of the EDIS business exclusively spoke to Appliance Retailer in April and revealed that EDIS Service Logistics was still running whilst under administration and he tipped that the company was going to be sold in the near future.
In addition to this the source also disclosed in May that Deloitte, the administrators turned liquidators, gave the company $20 million to help keep the company going until it could eventually be sold.
This fact was adamantly denied by Deloitte spokesperson, Jonathan Solitt-Davis, but he did confirm that an undisclosed amount was issued to EDIS, but it was nowhere near the $2 million mark.
“I can confirm that Deloitte has provided funds to Edis Service Logistics,” he said.
“Edis is the only part of the business that continues to trade whilst under administration, and we have to ensure that it continues to do so.”
Solitt-Davis expressed that the business had many possible buyers lined up, and now it has been confirmed.
According to Deloitte, the former EDIS brand will now operate as Edis Pty Ltd, and will now be associated with Stokes (Australasia) Limited. Gordon Elkington, Stokes director, commented on the acquisition.
“Edis Pty Ltd will operate as a standalone company, and will continue to offer customers the high level of service which they have come to expect of the former EDIS brand,” he said.
In addition to Edis, KCS has also been sold, with Aussie Whitegoods Rescue acquiring the business.
“Aussie Whitegoods Rescue will move quickly to again provide full service nationally to all Kleenmaid product owners across the full range of Kleenmaid products,” said Geoff Bartels, AWR director.
“We thank the customers for their patience during this difficult time and assure them that the Kleenmaid service and maintenance support number (1300 652 100) will be fully operational again by Monday 6 July 2009.”
Deloitte partner Richard Hughes commented that many jobs will be saved due to the acquisitions.
“These transactions have helped to secure the jobs of 16 EDIS employees who are responsible for ensuring spare parts are available for Kleenmaid appliances. The sale of KCS will enable up to 30 service van franchisees to continue to operate and provide valuable maintenance and repairs support to existing Kleenmaid customers.”
“I’d really like to thank the EDIS employees who worked extremely hard to keep the spare parts business going in difficult circumstances until we could complete the sale.”