Jobs saved as play equipment business saved

A YORKSHIRE school furniture and stadium seating manufacturer is aiming to turn around the fortunes of outdoor play equipment business Timberline following a rescue deal.

Timberline has been sold to Metalliform Holdings following the appointment of administrators and 45 jobs have been saved.

Barnsley-based Metalliform plans to introduce new products into Timberline’s range following the deal.

Metalliform has manufactured furniture for schools, colleges and universities for more than 60 years. 

The company employs 90 staff at its South Yorkshire production site and has annual turnover of £8m.    

Peter Brier, chief executive of Metalliform Holdings, said: “Timberline is a business that has a good customer base and a skilled workforce.  We are very pleased to have concluded this deal quickly as this presented the best chance to preserve jobs. 

“There are good synergies between the two businesses in terms of operating markets and manufacturing capabilities. We plan to use these to the benefit of both businesses.”

As well as outdoor play equipment Timberline, based in Chesterfield, also manufactures timber buildings and shelters from two factories on the Foxwood Industrial Park.

The 20 year old company has seen business drop following the impact of public sector spending cuts in the education market.

Christopher Brown and Andrew Maybery, partners at Hart Shaw in Sheffield, were appointed joint administrators to Timberline in early November.

Mr Brown said: “Following our appointment we continued to trade the business while we marketed it for sale. We are delighted that the sale of the business is now complete.

“This is a fantastic outcome for all stakeholders – employees and creditors – of the business and the acquisition by Metalliform has saved 45 jobs.”

The acquisition was funded with a loan from The Royal Bank of Scotland, a Regional Growth Fund Grant and Metalliform’s own resources. 

Neil Smith, RBS relationship director, said: “There was a need to complete this transaction as soon as possible to ensure the business and jobs could be saved. 

“All parties involved worked hard to complete the deal in less than three weeks. We are delighted to have played a part in helping to save these jobs and look forward to watching the enlarged business perform well.”  

In addition to school furniture, Metalliform also manufactures and installs sports stadium seats through its subsidiary company, Arena Stadium Seating.