Norcros, the Wilmslow, Cheshire-based bathroom products business, has announced its intention to explore options to sell the group’s remaining South African business.

Norcros said: “Norcros SA is a separate legal and operating business unit, consisting of TAL (market leading tile adhesive manufacturer), Tile Africa (national tile and bathroom retailer) and House of Plumbing (regional plumbing merchanting business).

“Norcros SA is run by an experienced local management team and is profitable and cash generative. In the year ended April 2025, Norcros SA generated revenue of £99.4m and underlying operating profit of £6.7m pre central cost overhead allocation.

“We would expect any sale process, which would be subject to a customary South African competition review, to take approximately 12 months.

“A disposal would complete the strategic repositioning of the Group as a capital-light, brand-led bathroom products business focused on the UK and European markets.”

Norcros currently employs around 2,100 people.

Norcros CEO Thomas Willcocks said: “Today marks the start of an important process for the Group and especially for our colleagues in South Africa.

“This is a significant strategic step for Norcros as we continue to build a more streamlined, capital-light and cash-generative business focused on mid-premium bathroom markets in the UK and Europe.

“Norcros has had a presence in the region since 1954, with the business and its team playing a key role in helping Norcros develop into the business we are today.

“Norcros SA has an excellent management team, strong brands, is well invested and well positioned to grow, and I am confident that we can find the right new owners to support and accelerate that growth.

Throughout this process, we will focus on ensuring continuity for our customers, employees and suppliers and completing the transition with as little disruption to the team and day-to-day operations as possible.”