Long‑Serving UK Car Parts Maker Shuts Up Shop, Most of Workforce Let Go

A long‑established automotive parts maker based in Birmingham has stopped trading, leaving most of its around 90‑strong workforce out of work.

The business, Shaftec Automotive Components, which specialised in producing drive, steering and braking parts for passenger cars, has been hit hard by tough conditions in the automotive components sector, including rising prices and stiff competition from cheaper imported products.

Joint administrators Anthony Collier and Richard Goodall from FRP Advisory were appointed to manage the company’s affairs as it entered administration. Despite efforts to find a buyer during an extensive sales process, no suitable offer materialised, and the decision was taken to close the business.

Most of the company’s workforce have now been made redundant, while a small number of staff will stay on temporarily to help wind the company down.

Collier described Shaftec as a “well‑respected” name in the UK automotive aftermarket with more than four decades of history,” but said market pressures ultimately proved insurmountable.

He added that the immediate priority for administrators is to support affected employees and complete an orderly closure.