Ossett-based insolvency practitioner, Phil Booth of Booth & Co has been appointed administrator of historic metal spinners Middleton & Cruddas Ltd, known within the industry as Elland Metal Spinning.

The manufacturing firm served a loyal customer base since 1946 from its Halifax facility in West Yorkshire, and its combination of traditional hand spinning alongside modern CNC machining processes saw a large number of apprentices and time-served artisans pass through the company ranks.

Difficult trading conditions, further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic led to a position where the business proved unviable. The company ceased to trade on 3 December 2020 and all 15 members of staff were made redundant immediately following the administrator’s appointment.

The machinery and business assets department of chartered surveyors Walker Singleton has now been appointed to sell the assets of the company and has committed to an online auction closing on Thursday 21 January.

Daniel Hey, Walker Singleton director, said: “Elland Metal Spinners were a well-known and respected manufacturer in the local business community with stronger recognition in the specialist UK spinning industry, which has a solid West Yorkshire presence.

Since appointment, time has been committed to supporting a smooth transition of supply for existing customers through the return of third-party tooling, alongside extracting value from the tool sets owned by the business.

“Focus now turns to the manufacturing plant and site support equipment, which presents a diverse asset base that will appeal to a range of businesses at local, regional and national level.”

He continued: “Covid-19 compliance is a high priority. The auction will be held exclusively online with no live, site-based interaction. Comprehensive imagery and lot description is available to guide bidders and the site clearance will be undertaken under strict social distancing measures.”

Further auction details are available at the website (walkersingleton.co.uk).