Administrators were called into O&H Vehicle Conversions and had hoped to secure a sale
O&H Vehicle Conversions has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators(Image: O&H Vehicle Conversions)
Hopes that jobs could be saved at a Goole-based maker of emergency vehicles have been dashed, as administrators say a rescue buyer could not be found. Insolvency specialists were called in to O&H Vehicle Conversions last week amid financial pressures.
The move brings to a close more than three decades of manufacturing at the firm’s Larsen Road operation, and sees the loss of 157 jobs. Administrators from BDO LLP said the business had suffered from delivery delays which impacted income and cashflow, with the directors said to be left with no choice but to put the company into administration.
Efforts to market the business had been under way even prior to BDO’s appointment but a sale as a solvent, going concern could not be secured. O&H’s 64,000 sqft factory which produced ambulances and other rapid response emergency vehicles is now closed.
Mark Thornton, one of the joint administrators said: “It is always a sad day when a longstanding business is forced to close. Given the financial position and outlook for the company, securing a sale of the business as a going concern was not possible.
“The priority of the joint administrators will now be to support employees impacted by the closure and realise assets in line with our duties in order to maximise the return for creditors.”
The closure of O&H comes weeks after CEO Mark Brickhill issued a statement which said that since November last year, about £2.2m in sales had been delayed. He said O&H had been supported by shareholders for years, to the tune of more than £25m in a “very challenging industry”.
Most recent accounts for O&H Vehicle Conversions Group Ltd, covering the year to the end of February 2024, show turnover of £22.3m and operating losses of more than £9.7m. In those accounts, bosses blamed delays to multi-year NHS Trust orders for ambulances which required new, post-Brexit accreditations.
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A number of O&H staff have taken to social media in recent days seeking new jobs. One said: “It’s a difficult day, saying goodbye to so many talented and dedicated colleagues at O&H. People who showed up every day with pride, resilience, and a genuine commitment to doing things the right way. Watching a team like that be broken apart is heart breaking.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved together, and I’m grateful for the friendships, the support, and the professionalism you all brought to work every single day. To everyone affected, I wish you nothing but success in finding your next role and hope our paths cross again. If anyone reading this can help my colleagues into their next opportunity, please do reach out to them.”
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