Injection and compression moulder Birmingham Plastics (GB-Birmingham B19 3QS) has been bought out of receivership. After receivers were called in during December 2003, production and sales of mouldings for the security, lighting and electrical markets continued, although at least half of the 50 staff lost their jobs. The company, since renamed Birmingham Engineering Plastics, was reported to have a busy order book, but its profitability had been hit by cheap imports. It is hoped to step-up production from one shift to two with the re-employment of some of the staff that had been made redundant.

New owners of Birmingham Plastics are James Hicken and Barry Robinson, both directors of compression mouldings producer Gemini Plastic Mouldings (GB-Oldbury B69 2AP), the principal shareholders in Hemo Engineering Plastics (GB-Oldbury B69 4RJ), which moulds both thermosets and thermoplastics. Since the buyout by Hicken and Robinson, Hemo has collapsed into administration following the withdrawal of one of its main customers. The company, which has a GBP 2m turnover and some 50 staff, is continuing to trade, and administrator Begbie Traynor is hopeful that a buyer for the business will be found. Hemo produces parts for the domestic appliances market, in particular saucepan handles, and for the gas and electrical industries. Demand is said to have increased since the business was advertised for sale.