Thermoformed food tray manufacturer HFW Plastics (Gateshead, Tyne & Wear / UK; www.hfw.wesayhowhigh.com) has entered administration due to financial difficulties following a fall in orders in recent months, compounded by the loss of a significant contract. Mark Firmin and Howard Smith of the restructuring practice of KPMG (Newcastle-upon-Tyne / UK; www.kpmg.co.uk) were appointed on 5 August 2009 as joint administrators. HFW Plastics has 64 employees, following 19 redundancies made by the administrators.

Smith said the business is continuing to trade while KPMG markets it for sale as a going concern. “We are hopeful of generating interest as HFW Plastics has a number of valuable strengths, primarily around speed and flexibility. It is able to undertake quick turnaround and short production run jobs,” he added.

HFW supplies thermoformed trays to the fresh food packing industry for products including poultry, red meat, fish, burgers, bakery and vegetables for supply to leading UK supermarkets and other retailers. It has been manufacturing for 25 years.