MORE than 250 jobs are under threat after a North Star-based retail equipment manufacturer went into administration.
Clares Retail Equipment Ltd, which has a large warehouse in North Star Avenue, is the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of supermarket trolleys, baskets and checkouts.
It supplies more than 250,000 units each year and has a 50 per cent share of the UK market.
But today administrators from KPMG Restructuring have been called in to take over the running of the company.
The group, which also has a subsidiary in Wells as well as Swindon, has a combined turnover of £40m.
The Swindon arm of the operation employs 254 staff and manufactures, installs and maintains shelving, display equipment, checkouts and kiosks for a number of supermarkets and consumer goods companies.
Richard Hill, joint administrator and KPMG partner, said: "The group has suffered from competition from cheaper imports.
"It has recently gone through a turnaround process and trading was improving but recent poor sales plus cash flow pressure has resulted in the directors requesting the bank to appoint administrative receivers."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article