AROUND 100 jobs are to go at Worcestershire outdoor toy manufacturer Tube Plastics after it entered administration.
James Sleight, Geoffrey Martin and Stephen Goderski, of Leeds-based Geoffrey Martin & Co, have been appointed as joint administrators by Tube Plastics’ directors.
The Kidderminster firm, better known as TP Activity Toys, is believed to be the UK’s largest outdoor toy manufacturer.
It primarily supplies toys and accessories such as trampolines and climbing frames to high street retailers and directly to customers in the UK and abroad.
The administrators are actively seeking buyers for the company’s core business, whose customers include Tesco, John Lewis and Early Learning Centre, as well as investment in its subsidiary, Muddy Puddles.
The business has operated for over 50 years and turnover in 2011 was £12m, said the administrators in a statement.
The company employs more than 100 staff, the vast majority of which are expected to be made redundant.
Muddy Puddles, a wholly owned subsidiary which is not in administration, is an online retailer of children’s outdoor clothing, in particular waterproofs and skiwear. It continues to trade as normal.
Administrators said they had been encouraged by expressions of interest already received for the firm.
They added that every effort would be made to fulfil orders for Christmas and customers awaiting deliveries should contact the firm directly.
Managing director Chris Martyn-Smith said: “It is a very sad day and the directors want to thank the many employees who have been such an important part of building the business over the last 50 years.”
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