Domestic Appliance Distributors (DAD), a well-known name in the UK’s electrical retail sector, has entered administration following a period of sustained financial difficulty. The company, officially registered as John Gillman & Sons (Electrical) Ltd, has appointed Mike Denny and Michael Magnay of Alvarez & Marsal as joint administrators.

The move comes after the Tewkesbury-based distributor, which supplies domestic appliances to independent retailers, housebuilders, and social housing providers, reported continued losses. Despite generating nearly £48 million in annual revenue, the business was unable to meet its funding requirements, prompting the decision to seek external administration support.

As part of the process, 30 of the company’s 78 employees were made redundant immediately upon the appointment of administrators. The remaining staff have been retained to help maintain operations while options for the future of the business—including a potential full or partial sale—are explored.Founded in 1992, DAD has built a strong reputation for its wide range of electrical goods and robust manufacturer relationships. The company operates from a 160,000 sq ft warehouse and delivers over 55,000 products each month across the UK.

While the administration marks a challenging chapter for DAD, it also reflects broader pressures facing distributors nationwide—rising costs, tightening margins, and fierce competition continue to reshape the landscape of the UK’s appliance sector 

PLEASE DON’T CONFUSE GILLMAN’S ELECTRCIAL LTD WITH DOMESTIC APPLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS (D.A.D) TRADING UNDER JOHN GILLMAN & SONS LTD THEY HAVE NO ASSOCIATION & ARE SEPARATE COMPANIES.