Virus kills off 165-year-old metal basher
A HISTORIC Black Country metal firm dating back to the 1850s has collapsed with the loss of 50 jobs.
Walsall-based Kirkpatrick, which made metal castings and handmade ironmongery, was forced to call in administrators after delays in accessing Covid-19 funding.
Kirkpatrick has also been hit by a reduction in long-term funding and overseas competition and managers could see little prospect of any significant upturn given the uncertainty in the marketplace.
Andrew Turpin and Matt Hardy, from Birmingham-based Poppleton and Appleby, are now looking to sell off its assets.
The firm said Kirkpatrick had suffered a recent downturn in trading because of competition from India and China and general economic uncertainty throughout the industry leading to delays and a downturn in orders.
“This was further compounded with the Covid-19 outbreak and temporary closure of many of the company’s markets and customers,” administrators said.
“Despite efforts to utilise the Covid-19 financial support, the emergency funding measures put in place by the Government were not available or forthcoming quickly enough to help the company and the difficult decision to appoint administrators was taken.”
The company, which was founded by William Kirkpatrick in 1855, has ceased trading and made all of its staff redundant.
Mr Turpin said: “This is a sad day for all involved in the business but reflected the difficulties being faced by many industries at present.
“It is particularly sad for a business of this longevity and tradition.
“The company is unable to continue trading but there remains a current order book and it is our intention to explore all the options which include the possibility of a sale of the business and assets.”