BDC management goes to ground as depots close

The future of electrical wholesaler BDC is once more in question, with the sudden closure of depots and neither staff nor management able to be contacted.

The company has a turbulent history, the business having changed hands twice in less than two years. Now, according to HousewaresLive.net’s sister title DIY Week, BDC has closed its Croydon branch and may have closed at least two more.

The company’s website is now listing only three of the six depots it operated at the beginning of the year: Harringay, Watford and Park Royal.

A hand-written sign at the Croydon branch reads: “As of 25/6/10 this branch is now closed. Please contact Watford, Park Royal, Harringay or call centre on 0844 811 0040. Many thanks.”

However, the phone number quoted, the company’s main sales number, is non-operational. The same is true of the individual numbers for the remaining three depots, all of which are no longer working, with the exception of the Watford branch, which rings but is not answered.

A main switchboard is still being manned, but it seems all decision-makers are staying away from the office as, despite repeated attempts, DIY Week has been unable to speak to anyone who can clarify the situation or confirm if the closures are permanent.

Eamonn Swift, who took over as managing director in April after investing £2.5m in the company in 2009, has been uncontactable by telephone. Attempts to reach him by email have been met with an out-of-office reply saying he is out until June 1 – six weeks ago.

Interviewed by DIY Week in April, immediately following his appointment as managing director, Swift said: “I’m expecting us to grow – definitely double digit this year and we’re definitely looking at expansion. We’ll be upgrading all our branches and potentially looking at opening a brand new site in the next quarter.”