A family-run Scottish cosmetics business has entered administration after nearly 30 years of trading, with all 11 employees made redundant. Aromantic Limited, based on the Greshop Industrial Estate in Forres, had been trading since 1997 and specialised in "championing organic beauty and ethically developed natural products".
Describing itself as "one of the UK's leading provider of organic beauty and natural skincare", the firm sold more than 400 naturally made cosmetic ingredients. These could be used to create homemade skincare, hair, bath and body products. Its main customer base included home crafters, salon owners and beauty therapists, but it was aimed at anyone who wanted more ethically-made products. It sold through its own website and on online platforms, such as Amazon, Spotify and Shopify.
Administrators appointed in September
Christopher Horner and Kevin Pinkerton of Business Rescue Expert were appointed as joint administrators on September 23, 2026. Information on Companies House shows that Aromantic's status is officially 'in administration'. Accounts for September 30, 2025, are also 'overdue', with the last accounts made up to the year prior on September 30, 2024.
The joint administrators have secured the sale to an unrelated party of the company's assets, including its stock, websites and online platforms. All 11 employees were made redundant immediately before the administration, as reported by The Herald.
Sales slumped after pandemic
Joint administrator Mr Pinkerton said that Aromantic had "traded well" during the Coronavirus pandemic but that sales had slumped afterwards. He added: "The fall in revenue, combined with increasing raw material, shipping and employment costs, contributed to the business becoming insolvent.
"Aromantic took out short-term loans to keep afloat, but the repayment requirements had a material effect on its cash flow. Over the summer, the company sought our assistance to explore ways to keep the business going.
"Working with the director, we tried every avenue to enable Aromantic to continue trading or sell it as a going concern, but regrettably a formal insolvency process was the only option."
While publicly available information does show that Aromantic Limited has entered administration, the business has not yet provided an official statement. The website also seems to still be available.
Rising insolvencies across Scotland
Administration cases across Scotland have been rising year-on-year, with many different sectors affected. Over the past few months, the Daily Record has been reporting on a few insolvencies for companies registered in the country.
Earlier this week it was reported that Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), founded by a former Grand Theft Auto developer, had collapsed, resulting in 36 jobs being lost. Administrators at Opus Restructuring are now said to be "undertaking a review" of the Scots video game firm. A pioneering dental firm, Calcivis Limited, also fell into administration this week, with David McGinness and Judith Howson of AAB Business & Tax Advisory appointed as joint administrators. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the firm received millions of pounds in public and private backing. This led it to develop its own patented bioluminescence technology that worked to prevent tooth decay and cavities. However, it was "unable to bridge to profitability sufficiently quickly and continued to experience pressure on cashflow."
A few housing development companies have also crumbled, with homes being left unfinished. Both Salo Property Services Ltd and Ailsa Homes called in administrators this month, with the latter's investment areas now being sold off.
