Ceiling Manufacturer Zentia Collapses Into Administration — 170 Jobs Lost
What happened
Zentia Limited, the Gateshead-based ceiling tile and suspension grid manufacturer, entered administration on 8 June 2026. Joint administrators Will Wright and James Lumb of Interpath Advisory were appointed after the company failed to find a buyer.
Zentia — formerly Armstrong Ceiling Solutions — had been trading since 1925 and turned over £48 million in its last reported year, down from £54.7 million the year before. The company cited high energy costs and lower-than-forecast sales. A £6.5 million cash injection from shareholders last year wasn't enough to save it.
170 jobs have been lost. The collapse comes just days after Ardmore Construction Group also entered administration, putting 500+ jobs at risk. According to PBC Today, construction insolvencies have been running at over 380 per month in 2026.
What this means for tradespeople
Every administration in the supply chain pushes more skilled workers into the domestic market — competing for the same kitchen refits, bathroom installs, and extension jobs you're quoting for.
If you're a ceiling fitter or dry liner who used Zentia products, you'll need alternative suppliers. But the broader point is the same one we've been tracking all year: the UK construction sector has now contracted for 17 consecutive months, and the PMI hit 38.2 in May — the worst since the pandemic.
When work gets tighter, the tradespeople who win are the ones homeowners trust. That means your Google reviews, your response rate, and your online presence matter more than ever. The plumber with 85 five-star reviews will get the call over the one with 3 — every time.
Source: Construction Enquirer — Ceiling specialist Zentia falls into administration