George Wilkinson sold in pre-pack
THE parent company of Lancashire baking tray manufacturing business George Wilkinson has changed hands for the second time in three months.
Metalrax Housewares has been acquired through a pre-packaged administration by Oneida International, a subsidiary of the US-based manufacturer Everyware Global.
Administrators at KPMG said the deal had saved 126 jobs, with 100 of them in Burnley. The business, which also has the Samuel Groves division, has other sites in Oldbury, West Midlands and Fakenham, Norfolk.
Joint administrator Paul Flint said: “Metalrax Housewares entered administration as a result of a continued downturn in trading and difficulties in meeting its debt obligations.
“Following comprehensive marketing of the company, we were able to secure a going concern sale – safeguarding the future of its 126 employees and two historic businesses in George Wilkinson and Samuel Groves. The acquisition of Metalrax Housewares is a strong fit for Everyware Global, expanding its UK manufacturing and product presence.”
In April Metalrax Housewares was sold to London investor Cable Capital Partners, part of Cable Finance, in a solvent sale. At the time the Metalrax Group was sold to engineering firm Bowman Birmingham in a pre-pack deal securing 400 jobs.
