A textile manufacturer with more than a century of operational history has ceased operations following its entry into administration.
Harrison Gardner Dyers & Winders, located on Royds Hall Lane near Halifax Road in Bradford, has shut down resulting in all 26 positions being eliminated.
The business focused on commission dyeing services for the carpet and wool knitting industries throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
The company entered administration on September 24.
Julian Pitts and Richard Kenworthy from BTG were appointed as joint administrators following a period of financial strain caused by mounting costs and weakening demand within the wool and textile sectors.
Mr Pitts, who serves as BTG’s national managing partner for restructuring based in Leeds, explained that escalating trading difficulties had placed considerable strain on operations.
Rising energy expenses, labour costs, raw material prices and additional operational expenditures had created an untenable situation for directors, leaving them with no alternative but to place the company into administration.
Following an assessment of the circumstances and with no viable path forward for continuing operations, closure became the only option.
The recent cessation of yarn manufacturer West Yorkshire Spinners, a long-standing client of Harrison Gardner and an important participant in the British textile sector, contributed significantly to the business failure and underscores the broader difficulties confronting the wool and textile manufacturing industries across the United Kingdom and Europe.
Mr Pitts indicated that assistance is being offered to those impacted by the shutdown.
Specialist human resources and redundancy guidance is being provided to former Harrison Gardner employees to ensure access to all applicable resources and entitlements, with continued support throughout this challenging period.
The company, situated on Royds Hall Lane, operated continuously as a fourth-generation family enterprise since its establishment in 1901.
The business supplied numerous notable customers including Newhey Carpets, Carpets of Kidderminster, and craft kit manufacturer WM Briggs.
A representative for Harrison Gardner stated that after 125 years and four generations of family stewardship, this marked an exceptionally difficult occasion for everyone associated with the company.
Sustained efforts had been made to navigate the increasingly difficult conditions affecting UK and European textile industries.
Nevertheless, mounting expenses combined with reduced demand had generated pressures that ultimately proved insurmountable for the business to overcome.
The closure of an enterprise that had endured two World Wars, significant economic downturns and decades of transformation within the textile industry at this particular milestone was particularly poignant.
The company took considerable pride in its contributions to the Yorkshire textile sector across four generations, serving customers and partners throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
Thoughts remained with employees, customers, suppliers and all who had supported the business throughout its lengthy history.
The joint administrators are currently inviting expressions of interest for the company’s assets and will consider proposals for the business in its entirety.
Richard Temple at BTG Eddisons serves as the contact for prospective buyers.