UK administrations update: January 6 - 12

Since our last update, the following businesses have been confirmed as having fallen into administration. All dates indicate when the administration was announced and not necessarily the dates on which administrators were appointed.

Contour Brickwork Services Limited - January 6
Contour Brickwork Services Limited, a brickwork firm based in Plymouth, fell into administration in December 2025, with Liam Short of MHA and Christopher Parkman of Purnells appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £84,000 and current assets at approximately £3 million, with net assets amounting to just under £1.1 million.

P & B Metal Components Limited - January 7
P & B Metal Components Limited, a Sheffield-based manufacturer of metal components for critical applications, fell into administration last week, with James Clark and James Lumb of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

The company encountered financial difficulties as a result of a rephasing of orders from a major customer. Directors explored options for fresh investment, but a solvent solution could not be found, resulting in the appointment of administrators.

The joint administrators have said they plan to continue trading the business while exploring options, with the hope of preserving the business as a going concern. In addition to marketing P&B’s Sheffield operations for sale, the joint administrators are also seeking a buyer for the company’s Malaysian subsidiary.

In accounts for the year to May 31 2024, P & B Metal Components reported turnover of around £12.4 million, down from £21.5 million a year earlier, while falling from an operating profit of approximately £1.4 million to a loss of over £761,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £5.9 million and current assets at around £8.6 million, with total equity amounting to approximately £4.7 million.

Find out more about the collapse of P & B Metal Components

Batt Cables Limited - January 8
Batt Cables Limited a Kent-based manufacturer and distributor of cables, fell into administration last week, with Samuel Woodward and Dan Edkins of Ernst & Young appointed as joint administrators.

The company, which has nine sites across the UK in addition to its Kent HQ, as well as seven sites in Europe, was reported to have encountered liquidity challenges amid adverse market conditions over recent years. Efforts to secure the funding required to enable continued trading proved unsuccessful, resulting in the company entering administration.

The company is continuing to trade in insolvency while administrators seek a sale of the business. However, 70 employees were made redundant upon the appointment of the joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £202.7 million, down from £208.1 million a year earlier, while operating profits fell from £17.6 million to £5.4 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £22 million and current assets at £145.3 million, with net assets amounting to approximately £83.3 million.

On the same day, Samuel Woodward and Dan Edkins were also appointed as joint administrators of connected company Cricket Bidco Limited. In the year to March 31 2024, Cricket Bidco reported turnover of £650,606 and an operating loss of around £62,000. The company’s net liabilities at the time totalled slightly under £2.1 million.

SW Drainage Solutions Limited - January 9
SW Drainage Solutions Limited, a drainage services firm based in Kent, fell into administration in late December, with Glyn Mummery and Julie Humphrey of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to November 30 2023, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £3.5 million and current assets at £3.8 million, with net assets amounting to approximately £1.7 million.

Gascorp (Plaxton) Limited - January 9
Gascorp (Plaxton) Limited, a gas manufacturing company based in Colchester, fell into administration last week, appointing David Shambrook, Gordon Thomson and Stephanie Sutton of RSM UK as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 31 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £15.7 million and current assets at around £8.7 million. Net liabilities, however, exceeded £13.1 million.

Midwest Polychem Limited - January 12
Midwest Polychem Limited, a Holbeach-based manufacturer and recycler of plastic packaging materials, fell into administration last week, with Philip Reynolds and Sarah Cook of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to September 30 2024, the company reported turnover of £23.3 million, up from approximately £19.6 million a year earlier, while operating losses remained roughly flat at slightly over £520,000.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £9.5 million and current assets at £16 million, but net liabilities totalled slightly over £1 million.

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