Packaging manufacturer in administration

A PACKAGING machine manufacturer in Rochdale has been placed in administration, although administrators are close to agreeing a deal with a buyer.

Double R Controls, which manufacturers a variety of equipment for the converting and packaging industry on site in Heywood, went into administration on May 3, with the loss of 39 jobs.

TheBusinessDesk understands that the £4m turnover company’s demise was due to a lack of orders but that some staff have been retained on an ad hoc basis to finish work in progress and to keep the business alive whilst a buyer is found.

A Queen’s Award for Technology winner, the majority of the firm’s products are exported overseas to markets.

The business was founded in 1980 by managing director Neal Rothwell, initially manufacturing equipment for companies such as ICI and Control Data Wales in the field of infrared heating equipment and computer tape certifying.

Steven Muncaster and Sarah Bell of Duff and Phelps have been appointed joint administrators.

Muncaster told TheBusinessDesk he was hopeful that a buyer would be found for the business, having received three expressions of interest.

He said: “We have been trying to sell the business on and there has been some interest in it and we are progressing those offers at the moment.

“We did make all of the staff redundant but have since taken some back on.”