JOBS LOST AT ARTIFICIAL TURF MAKER
Thornton Sports Group enters administration
A £10m-turnover manufacturer of sports surfaces, which has made artificial grass pitches for the likes of Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, has entered administration with the loss of almost 50 jobs, reports Insider Media Limited.
The Thornton Sports Group entered administration on 4 May 2016, with Joanne Hammond and John Russell of Begbies Traynor appointed joint administrators. The group comprises Thornton Sports Ltd, Thorntons Contracts Ltd, GTC Sports Ltd, Nordon Ltd, Protect All Weather Ltd, and SoccerTurf (UK) Ltd.
Established more than 35 years ago, the Lancashire group was chosen as a partner for many private finance initiative/public-private partnerships and city academy projects. Its manufacturing plant is based in Altham near Accrington and its maintenance operation is in Wigston near Leicester.
The company ceased trading on 4 May 2016 with 47 of the 52 staff made redundant.
Hammond said: "Unfortunately, the group suffered from quality problems with some of its products, which proved too costly to rectify. This, together with low margins and increased competition, has made the business unviable.
"We will be marketing Thornton Sport's manufacturing plant in Blackburn and working to recover further funds for the creditors."
Eddisons is currently managing the disposal of assets.
|