An expanding £20 million turnover bathroom supplies business built from scratch by two brothers has become Scotland’s newest employee-owned company, with expert support from Lindsays.
Wetrooms International Group, based in Rutherglen, employs almost 80 staff across its soon-to-be 14-strong network of Ceiling2Floor panelling stores across Scotland and northern England, as well as its Wetrooms Distribution operation supplying merchants throughout the UK and Ireland.
Lindsays’ Corporate Law Partner, Nicholas Howie, advised Wetrooms International on its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), helping secure a lasting legacy for its dedicated team and supporting the business’s ambitious growth plans.
Brian and Bill Crombie launched Wetrooms in 2005 and have worked together for nearly 50 years. As part of their continued commitment to the business, they have retained a 26% share in its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
The move - which the brothers hope will help fuel growth ambitions as well as giving staff a greater stake in the firm’s success - comes as the PVC panelling specialists recorded a 20% increase in turnover during the first quarter of 2025.
Brian said: “For us, this is about building a legacy for our team, recognising the loyalty of our staff. Becoming an EOT was the logical step for us to take. It makes sense for everyone. Most of our staff have been with us for a long time and we have a great management team.
“I’m 73 and Bill is 71. We’ve got ambitious plans for the business while naturally also considering what work looks like for us longer term. We’ve had approaches, but didn’t like the idea of a trade sale, putting the business in the hands of someone who might not understand our unique ethos. Our team deserve better.
“Becoming an EOT opens opportunities for our people to develop their careers, brings benefits to us and provides a level of comfort and confidence to the staff, suppliers and customers we work with that Bill and I are still here. It’s the ideal fit.”
Bill added: “The business is in a real period of growth with huge potential to expand significantly over the next five years. We have the right team in place to achieve that.”
Trustees to oversee the business have been appointed from within the workforce as part of the new EOT structure. They include Group Managing Director Linda Smith.
Growth ambitions backed by employee ownership and innovation
Employee ownership unlocks a capital gains tax exemption for shareholders who sell their shares to an EOT and the ability to reward employees annually with qualifying bonuses of up to £3,600 per year per employee, paid free of income tax.
Nicholas Howie, Partner in the Corporate Law team at Lindsays, said:
“You cannot fail but to be impressed by the energy and enthusiasm that Brian and Bill have for the business.
“Their decision to transition to an EOT allows them to continue to play a key role in its future while putting a legal and financial framework in place that creates a long-term legacy for their team. It’s the ideal fit for their ethos.”
Wetrooms, which specialises in PVC ceiling and wall panels for bathrooms, supplies both merchants.
In 2008, following extensive development work, the firm introduced the first 100% waterproof hollow core PVC Wide Panel shower and wall panels to the market.
At the same time, the Ceiling2Floor trade outlet arm of the business was formed. It now has branches across Scotland in Aberdeen, Anniesland, Cambuslang, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glenrothes, Govan, Inverness, Kirkintilloch and Stirling. Carlisle will add to its Middlesbrough and Newcastle branches in northern England within weeks.
Bill said: “Innovation, along with quality, is the key to the success of the business.”
The brothers, who began their careers in sales to the home improvement, builders’ and plumbers’ merchant markets, have been working together since April 1977. They previously successfully established Showerwall in the late 1990s, selling that business to the St Gobain Group in 2007 to focus on the development of fully waterproof shower panels and associated products.
The firm also supplies easy-to-fit drop-click flooring, with new patented panelling products set to be launched.
Published 6 June 2025
