Historic UK steel firm collapses into administration – 110 jobs only just saved last year
The company played a key role in the Allied effort in World War Two.
The Thomas Storey Fabrications Group has been making fabricated steel products for almost a century (Image: Getty)
More than 100 workers at a Manchester steel firm, which constructed Bailey bridges for Allied troops during World War II, have been laid off. All 110 workers at Thomas Storey Fabrications Group, in Openshawe, face an uncertain future as the company fell into administration on January 14. Workers have not received updates from the firm on what is happening, despite many having spent their entire careers with the company, according to the GMB Union.
The business has faced increasing financial pressures, including supply chain challenges, customer withdrawals from the UK market and mounting overheads. Last year, the company fell into administration but was rescued in a pre-pack sale. In that deal, an acquiring company, TAL Group, bought the business and assets immediately after the administrators were appointed, which saved all the jobs at that time and allowed the business to continue trading.
While a pre-pack sale can save a business and jobs at that specific time, it doesn’t guarantee long-term survival.
Less than a year later, the business has again entered administration, this time under new administrators Richard Cole and Steve Kenny of KBL Advisory Ltd. This comes despite the TAL Group’s commitment to saving and developing UK engineering companies.
Gary Edwards, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “The treatment of this loyal workforce is awful.
Thomas Storey Fabrications Group made Bailey bridges for allied troops during World War Two. (Image: Getty)
“Some people have 20 years of service, and to be stonewalled by the company for information while being laid off unpaid is unacceptable.
“There must be communication and a resolution to this situation quickly.”
Thomas Storey Fabrications Group has been making fabricated steel products for almost a century and made the prefabricated Bailey bridges used by Allied troops in World War II. It now supplies the construction, truck and trailer manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.
