Magnet Kitchens
Magnet Kitchens is a British kitchen retailer and trade supplier operating Magnet and Magnet Trade businesses across the United Kingdom.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Magnet Kitchens is a United Kingdom-based kitchen retailer and building-products supplier with roots in the joinery industry. The business was established in Bingley, West Yorkshire, in 1918 by Tom Duxbury. Its early activities centered on joinery, doors and windows, and the company expanded during the 1920s by developing mass-production capabilities and supplying components for construction projects. Branches and manufacturing operations were subsequently opened in several parts of northern and central England. The company entered the kitchen market in 1970, adding kitchen furniture to its established joinery business. A manufacturing site was established in Darlington to support production of joinery and kitchen products. By 1975, Magnet had become one of the United Kingdom's largest joinery manufacturers and operated a substantial branch network. That year it merged with the timber group Southern-Evans to form Magnet & Southerns, creating a broader business with more than two hundred branches. During the 1980s, Magnet expanded its manufacturing footprint and acquired the Thomas Easthams kitchen business. The company also responded to the growth of do-it-yourself and home-improvement retailing by opening its first retail kitchen showrooms in 1985. Magnet & Southerns became a founder member of the FTSE 100 share index in 1984. The business later sold the Southern-Evans timber operation and became subject to a management buyout. A sharp downturn in the United Kingdom housing market placed considerable pressure on sales and liquidity, and the buyout failed, leaving the banks in control. In the 1990s, the business separated its Retail and Trade divisions to serve household consumers and professional customers more distinctly. Manufacturing was consolidated into fewer sites, particularly Darlington and Keighley. Berisford acquired the company in 1994, seeking to rebuild Magnet's position in the United Kingdom kitchen and joinery markets. Although financial performance stabilized, the business faced limited investment and a prolonged industrial dispute. Nobia acquired Magnet in April 2001 for £134 million, bringing it into the Swedish kitchen group that later became Nobia AB. Under Nobia's ownership, Magnet received investment in showroom refurbishment, manufacturing and trade-channel development. The Darlington facility was converted into a more modern assemble-to-order operation, while the Trade Concept was introduced to strengthen relationships with professional customers. Magnet's business has two principal channels. Magnet Retail serves household customers through a national showroom network, offering fitted kitchen designs alongside cabinets, worktops, sinks, taps, appliances and accessories. The brand has generally positioned itself in the middle of the consumer kitchen market, combining design consultation and installation-oriented services with a national retail presence. Magnet Trade serves registered trade customers such as joiners, builders and kitchen fitters through dedicated branches. It also supplies local authorities, housing associations and other organizations in the social-housing sector. The trade range extends beyond kitchens to doors, windows, timber, flooring and hardware, with branch stock, local delivery and planning services supporting professional users. The company is headquartered in Darlington and remains part of Nobia UK's portfolio. Its historical public-company identity is distinct from its current ownership: Magnet was once listed in London and was included in the FTSE 100, whereas the present parent, Nobia AB, is listed in Sweden. Public reference material describes Magnet as operating more than two hundred locations in the United Kingdom and employing more than 2,000 people, although the exact current figures are not specified in this dossier.
History
Magnet began in 1918 in Bingley, West Yorkshire, as a joinery business founded by Tom Duxbury. During the 1920s it developed mass-production methods for joinery, doors and windows and supplied components for construction projects. The company expanded with operations in locations including Keighley, Grays and Knaresborough. In 1960, Magnet opened its first company branch in Bingley, establishing a retail and distribution model that was later extended to other United Kingdom towns. Kitchen products were introduced in 1970, followed by a Darlington manufacturing facility for joinery and kitchen furniture. By 1975, Magnet had become a major British joinery manufacturer with 115 branches. Its merger with Southern-Evans that year created Magnet & Southerns and expanded the combined branch network beyond two hundred locations. The 1980s brought further manufacturing expansion, the acquisition of Thomas Easthams and a move into dedicated kitchen retail. Magnet opened its first retail kitchen showrooms in 1985. The company later sold the Southern-Evans timber business and underwent a management buyout amid a difficult housing-market environment. The downturn weakened sales and cash flow, and the buyout failed, resulting in bank control. In 1990, Magnet's Retail and Trade activities were separated to distinguish consumer showroom operations from professional supply. Several factories were closed and production was concentrated at fewer sites. Berisford acquired the company in 1994 and sought to restore its position in kitchens and joinery. Although performance became more stable, the business experienced underinvestment and a lengthy industrial dispute. Nobia acquired Magnet in April 2001. The new owner funded showroom refurbishment, expanded the trade proposition and invested in the Darlington manufacturing site. The factory was converted into an assemble-to-order operation, while the Trade Concept was introduced to support growth among professional customers. The modern business comprises Magnet Retail and Magnet Trade. Retail showrooms provide kitchen planning and sell kitchen furniture, worktops, sinks, taps, appliances and accessories. Magnet Trade sells to registered professionals through branches and supplies kitchens as well as doors, windows, timber, flooring and hardware. Many locations combine both activities while maintaining separate customer entrances and identities. Magnet is headquartered in Darlington and forms part of Nobia UK, alongside other Nobia brands.
- 2003
Retail showroom concept receives design award
[1]Magnet's showroom concept is recognized as Best UK Retail Interior by Retail Interiors Magazine.
- 2001
Nobia acquires Magnet
[1]Nobia purchases Magnet and begins a period of investment in retail showrooms, manufacturing and trade operations.
- 1994
Berisford acquires Magnet
[1]Berisford acquires the company and seeks to re-establish it as a leading British kitchen and joinery business.
- 1990
Retail and Trade divisions are separated
[1]The company creates separate Retail and Trade divisions to serve household and professional customers more effectively.
- 1985
First retail kitchen showrooms open
[1]Magnet enters dedicated retail kitchen showrooms in response to the growth of do-it-yourself and home-improvement retailing.
- 1984
FTSE 100 founding membership
[1]Magnet & Southerns becomes a founder member of the FTSE 100 share index.
- 1975
Magnet merges with Southern-Evans
[1]The merger creates Magnet & Southerns and produces a combined network exceeding two hundred branches.
- 1970
Kitchen products are introduced
[1]The company adds kitchens to its established joinery range.
- 1960
First company branch opens
[1]Magnet opens its first branch in Bingley, beginning the company-operated outlet model.
- 1920
Mass-production joinery operations expand
[1]During the 1920s, Magnet develops mass-production capabilities for joinery, doors and windows and expands its operating locations.
Products and positioning
A national, mid-market United Kingdom kitchen retailer for consumers, complemented by a professional trade-supply business serving joiners, builders, kitchen fitters and social-housing organizations.
Kitchen retail · 1970
Magnet Retail kitchens
Magnet Retail supplies fitted kitchen solutions to household customers through its showroom network. The offer combines kitchen furniture and cabinetry with worktops, sinks, taps, appliances and accessories. Showrooms provide kitchen design and planning support, positioning the business as a consultative national retailer rather than solely a component seller.
Trade kitchen supply
Magnet Trade kitchens
Magnet Trade supplies registered trade customers, including joiners, builders and kitchen fitters. Its kitchen range includes cabinets, appliances, worktops, sinks and taps. Products are supported by branch stock, kitchen planning, local delivery and a trade-oriented in-store environment that is distinct from the consumer retail operation.
Joinery and construction supply
Magnet Trade joinery and building products
The Trade business extends beyond kitchens into doors, windows, timber, wood flooring and hardware. It also offers made-to-measure timber window ordering and local delivery, serving professional contractors and organizations such as local authorities and housing associations.
Brand decisions
2001
Acquisition by NobiaM&ABackground
Magnet followed a period of financial pressure, ownership changes and limited investment in the 1990s.
Action taken
Nobia acquired Magnet for £134 million and incorporated it into its United Kingdom operations.
Aftermath
Nobia funded showroom refurbishment, introduced the Trade Concept and invested in the Darlington manufacturing operation.
Acquisition value. £134 million (April 2001)
1990
Separation of Retail and Trade divisionsStrategyBackground
Household consumers and professional customers required different service models, product flows and branch environments.
Action taken
Magnet established separate Retail and Trade divisions.
Aftermath
The structure allowed the company to develop consumer showrooms and professional branches with differentiated identities and services.
1985
Entry into dedicated retail kitchen showroomsStrategyBackground
The company identified an opportunity in the expanding do-it-yourself and home-improvement market.
Action taken
Magnet opened its first dedicated retail kitchen showrooms, moving beyond manufacturing and trade supply toward direct consumer retail.
Aftermath
Retail became a distinct operating channel and later developed alongside the professional Magnet Trade business.
Sources1 sources
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