Wolverhampton firm safeguards 12 jobs after deal to buy up stricken firm
A Wolverhampton-based metal plating company says it has significantly increased its capacity after buying up two divisions of a neighbouring firm which fell into administration.
Metal finishing specialist Wolverhampton Electro Plating (WEP) says the deal to buy out two divisions of The Electrolytic Plating Company Limited (EPC) will safeguard a dozen jobs after the Walsall firm fell into administration following more than 120 years of trading.
BDO was appointed as administrator and worked with WEP to salvage sections of the stricken business, which had a reputation as one of the largest barrel plating and surface coating companies in the UK.
The move saw eight EPC employees transfer to WEP, along with key pieces of machinery that will allow WEP to continue to offer outstanding service to its customers. A further four EPC employees were reassigned to other areas of the The Anochrome Group, which was founded in Wolverhampton in 1946 which has grown into the UK’s largest independent metal finishing company
“EPC was a business with a rich heritage and it was very sad to see it cease trading recently," said Denis Rainbird, General Manager at WEP.
“We were pleased to be able to work with the administrators to save 12 jobs which otherwise would have been lost. The deal strengthens our position in the market and brings about major benefits for our customers.
“We look forward to working with customers old and new as we continue to enhance and elevate our offering, cementing our position as one of the UK’s premier metal finishing companies.”
Through the acquisition WEP has acquired equipment related to dip spin coating for zinc flake and organic finishes, along with thread locking and patching equipment which has already been relocated to Inlex Locking ltd, part of the Anochrome Group.
The biggest of the dip spin machines, which can process around six tonnes of material per hour, will be moved and installed first.
“The addition of the EPC dip spin equipment will also result in efficiency gains as more machines mean fewer changeovers, leading to less idle time and improved turnaround times," added Mr Rainbird.
“We are excited about how our continued investment will further improve the service we can offer our customers.”
