(Image: Supplied)
A TEXTILE company with more than a century of history has closed its doors.
Harrison Gardner Dyers & Winders, based on Royds Hall Lane, off Halifax Road in Bradford, has ceased trading after entering administration, resulting in the loss of all 26 jobs.
The company, which specialised in commission dyeing for the carpet and wool knitting sectors across the UK and Europe, entered administration on September 24.
Julian Pitts and Richard Kenworthy of BTG were appointed as joint administrators following a period of financial difficulty driven by rising costs and declining demand in the wool and textile industries.
Mr Pitts, BTG's Leeds-based national managing partner for restructuring, said: "Sadly, in the face of increasingly challenging trading conditions, with rising energy, labour, raw material and other operating costs placing significant pressure on the business, the directors were left with no choice but to place the company into administration.
"Unfortunately, after evaluating the situation and with no viable route to operating the business going forward, there was no alternative to the closure of the business.
"The recent closure of yarn producer West Yorkshire Spinners, a longstanding client of Harrison Gardner and a major player in the British textile sector, was a significant factor in the failure of the business, and further highlights the challenges facing the wool and textile manufacturing industries, both here in the UK and in Europe."
Mr Pitts confirmed that support is being provided to those affected by the closure.
He said: "We are providing specialist HR and redundancy support to the former Harrison Gardner employees to ensure they have access to all available resources and entitlements, and will continue to do so during this difficult period."
The company, based on Royds Hall Lane, had operated as a fourth-generation family business since its founding in 1901.
It served a number of high-profile customers, including Newhey Carpets, Carpets of Kidderminster, and craft kit producer WM Briggs.
A spokesperson for Harrison Gardner said: "After 125 years and four generations of family ownership, this is an incredibly difficult day for everyone connected with Harrison Gardner.
"We have worked tirelessly to navigate the increasingly challenging conditions facing the UK and European textile industries.
"However, escalating costs and reduced demand have created pressures that, ultimately, have become impossible for the business to overcome.
"It is particularly sad that a business which has survived two World Wars, significant economic downturns and decades of change in the textile industry reaches this point in its 125th year.
"We are immensely proud of the contribution Harrison Gardner has made to the Yorkshire textile industry over four generations, supporting customers and partners across the UK and Europe.
"Our thoughts are with our employees, customers, suppliers and all those who have supported the business throughout its long history."
The joint administrators are now seeking offers for the company’s assets and will consider offers for the business as a whole.
Richard Temple at BTG Eddisons is the point of contact for interested parties.
He can be reached by email at richard.temple@eddisons.com.