Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
One of the United Kingdom’s largest suppliers of car parts and other garage equipment, Uniparts Automotive has been put into administration resulting in the loss of 1,244 jobs. With the headquarters located in Solihull in the West Midlands of England, the company had 180 outlets and a distribution hub. Before being placed in administration, Uniparts Automotive employed 1,813 staff.
The business traded under the three brands of Unipart Automotive, Partco Autoparts and Express Factor. After being put into administration, around 150 sites have been closed. A consortium with competitor firm Andrew Page, which is owned by Endless and a private equity firm, Phoenix will buy 22 sites. Another competitor, The Parts Alliance will buy 12 branches. The sale of 33 branches and distribution centres has saved 361 jobs with staff transferred to the new owners. In addition, a further 208 staff have been retained to assist the administrators. The remainder of the business has ceased to trade with the 1,244 remaining staff being made redundant. Unipart Automotive also directly supported more than 700 independent, owner-operated garages through one of its programmes, the Unipart Car Care Centre programme. The company also had 19 franchisees. Outside the remit of the administrators, these companies are reported to continue to operate as usual.
Upadated, 11-08-2014: Parts Alliance - one of the companies that initially purchased Unipart branches has interviewed and re-employed close to 500 former Unipart's workers, saving a further 139 further jobs.
Eurofound (2014), Unipart Automotive, Bankruptcy in United Kingdom, factsheet number 77346, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/77346.
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