Thu, 11 Sep 2025 | ADMINISTRATION
A major Midlands-based supplier of agricultural and industrial machinery has fallen into administration amid difficult trading conditions and cost pressures. The collapse of Dunstall Holdings and its subsidiary Rea Valley Tractors comes following a failed sale process.
Tim Higgins, Edward Williams, and Jane Steer of PwC have been appointed as joint administrators of Dunstall Holdings Limited and Rea Valley Tractors Limited. Following their appointment, 149 of 169 employees have immediately been made redundant.
The group, which was headquartered in Burton-on-Trent, was primarily engaged in selling, servicing and repairing agricultural machinery, materials handling equipment and workplace storage solutions.
Despite being a prominent presence in the industry, the group had struggled with a prolonged period of challenging trading conditions and inflationary cost pressures. As a result, the group had been pursuing a sale of all or part of its businesses in order to secure their long-term future.
However, despite a comprehensive marketing process, no viable offers were forthcoming for the group as a whole. The group’s struggles were first made public last month, when Dunstall Holdings filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Similar notices were also filed by Rea Valley Tractors, along with fellow subsidiaries RVT Commercial Vehicles, Altegra Access & Security Systems, Teme Valley Tractors and Altegra Integrated Solutions. There have, as yet, been no additional updates regarding the status of the other subsidiaries.
Joint administrator Tim Higgins commented: "Rea Valley tractors is one of the most recognisable names in the local agricultural industry and it's with great sadness that it has entered administration today along with Dunstall Holdings.”
"Regrettably, 149 employees have been made redundant - we know how unsettling this will be for the people affected, as well as the group's customers at this important time of year, and we will be providing all parties with the necessary support."
The two companies will be wound down over the coming weeks. A small number of employees have been retained at Rea Valley Tractor’s seven sites across the Midlands, North West England and Wales to assist in winding down operations.
In accounts for the period from October 30 2022 to December 31 2023, Rea Valley Tractors Limited reported turnover of £112.3 million, compared to £102.8 million in the preceding year, but saw post-tax losses widen from around £284,000 to £5.5 million. Its fixed assets were valued at £13.3 million at the time, with current assets standing at £71.1 million and net assets at £4.6 million.
During the same period, Dunstall Holdings Limited reported turnover of around £143 million, up from £126.5 million, but also saw its post-tax losses increase, rising from £752,000 to £5.8 million. Its fixed assets were valued at £19.3 million and current assets at around £69 million, but net liabilities totalled close to £3 million.
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