A BOLTON kitchen manufacturer has been formally brought out of administration.

Bernstein Group Holdings, based on Great Bank Road, Westhoughton, is now solvent and trading normally.

After a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was arranged, the group has managed to secure new investment on top of "amazingly buoyant" sales throughout the administration period.

BGH was placed in administration in November, 2006.

Despite the growth in its core business, supplying kitchens to house builders, national distributors and social housing, the losses incurred by its direct-sell subsidiary, The Kitchen Studio, became unsustainable.

The CVA allowed the company to trade through the administration period and restructure.

Management now predict strong growth and opportunities throughout 2007.

The Bernstein Group, which employs 400 staff, has delivered annual growth in sales of more than 20 per cent over the past three years.

BGH's new investment partner, private equity group Endless, said: "The number of new opportunities for the company is startling, an indication of how much the market needs good quality UK manufactured product.

"The new funding will allow the business to strengthen its market position across key sectors, in particular house builders and social housing."

Bill Gleave, chairman of Bernstein Group, said: "We are delighted with the support from our customers, suppliers, staff and investment partners.

"Bernstein has a fantastic factory and the excess capacity was initially one of the reasons that held back the recovery of the business, despite its sales growth.

"However, this spare capacity is rapidly becoming a differentiator as we are the only major manufacturer within the kitchens sector that can provide the product to meet the targets for social housing improvements set by the Government."

Mr Gleave added that BGH has already returned to business as usual and is focusing its efforts over the next few months on increasing the business within the social housing sector.