Twenty-three people have lost their jobs with the collapse of a well-known Calderdale contract furniture business.
W P Eglin Ltd, which has been trading since 1880, has been placed in the hands of joint administrators Peter Sargent, Richard Kenworthy and Nick Reed, of Begbies Traynor.
The company, based at Sowerby Bridge, designed and manufactured seats and tables for a number of key sectors including schools and colleges, health centres, offices and passenger terminals. Products included computer work stations, sofas, benches, swivel chairs and stools.
But all 23 staff have lost their jobs after the company ran into financial problems.
Huddersfield man Mr Sargent said efforts to find a buyer for the business as a going-concern had proved unsuccessful and the company had ceased trading. He said the business had run out of funds and had been unable to secure financial support.
The joint administrators are optimistic that a buyer will be found for the company’s intellectual property and name.
The company’s substantial manufacturing facilities, Globe Works on Victoria Road, are being marketed through property agent Walker Singleton and offered as a prime site for redevelopment.
Mr Sargent, of Begbies Traynor’s Halifax office, said: “It is always sad to see a business fail, particularly one with such a long heritage and loyal workforce,
“Eglin is a fairly small player in a congested market place, facing lots or larger competitors and it was simply unable to secure the sales it needed to survive.
“We are currently doing all we can to support the former staff, including working with JobCentre Plus and using our own contacts to identify other employment opportunities.
“Alongside this, we are also making every effort to secure a return for the creditors by marketing the business’ assets and are confident that the Victoria Road site will prove of great interest to developers.”
Legal advice to the administrators was provided by Andrew Walker of Irwin Mitchell in Leeds.
