Trading since 1880, the company was established as a contract furniture manufacturer, however, over recent years it has developed a strong brand recognition as a designer and manufacturer of mass and lounge seating for airports and other transport terminus, carrying out installations around the world.

Peter Sargent, Richard Kenworthy and Nick Reed of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint administrators to WP Eglin in September 2014 following unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the business as a going-concern.

On 31 December 2014, the joint administrators completed a sale of the company’s brand name and intellectual property rights to Race Furniture Ltd, based in Gloucestershire.

Peter Sargent, Begbies Traynor partner and joint administrator, said: ‘WP Eglin suffered from being a small player in an increasingly competitive market place and it’s extremely sad to see the demise of such an historic Yorkshire business, along with the accompanying loss of local jobs. However, as a result of this deal, at least the company name and its designs live on.’  

Sargent said the administrators are continuing to market the company’s substantial manufacturing facilities based near Halifax, saying they offer prime redevelopment opportunities and are already proving of interest to developers.