Claire Middlebrook appointed liquidator at Aberdeen tool firm

Business recovery specialist Claire Middlebrook has been installed as provisional liquidator at Fithandel in Bridge of Don.

Seven ‘highly experienced’ personnel have lost their jobs at the Aberdeen specialist tools company which has manufactured specialist tooling for the oil and gas industry since 1978.

It was owned by French parent group Genoyer.

Speaking from Fithandel’s premises Derek Lyttle, the Aberdeen director of Middlebrooks Business Recovery and Advice, said: “These are highly skilled people with long experience who’ve lost their jobs and we are ensuring they gain the best possible advice on issues such as statutory redundancy terms.”

In the company’s last audited accounts published at the end of 2015, Fithandel had a turnover of £4.05 million but was already reporting losses of £450,000.

Mr Lyttle added: “There are insufficient orders to attempt to continue trading and sadly this is another example of the current downturn. The company’s products were highly specialised and recently sales have dipped due to the availability of substantially cheaper products from the Far East.” Mr Lyttle said that as the liquidation progresses he will keep creditors informed and endeavour to realise Fithandel’s assets for the best possible prices.”