Wed, 16 Sep 2026 | ADMINISTRATION
The assets of a longstanding precision-turned parts manufacturer based in North Devon are available to acquire after the company fell into liquidation. Witon Engineering Limited entered liquidation last week, in the face of sustained financial challenges and a recent fall in sales.
Founded in 1948 as a family-owned business, Witon Engineering was incorporated in 1993. The firm combined traditional methods with modern machinery and tooling, developing and manufacturing parts used across a wide array of industries.
Historically, the company had traded successfully, building a loyal customer base since its incorporation more than 30 years ago and peaking at a team of over 60 staff working from its headquarters in Barnstaple.
However, customer demand was adversely impacted over recent years due to uncertainties linked to Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, while significant energy and operational cost increases put pressure on margins.
The firm started 2026 strongly, but subsequently suffered a fall in customer confidence and sales over recent months, exacerbating its sustained financial challenges and ultimately forcing it to enter liquidation.
Having considered all available options, directors concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of Witon Engineering returning to sustained profitability. As it was unable to meet its liabilities as they fell due, the directors opted to cease trading and seek professional insolvency advice in order to protect creditor interests.
The company ceased trading in July, with 23 employees made redundant, and subsequently entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation on September 10 2026.
One of the joint liquidators for Witon Engineering commented: “Despite the directors’ efforts to control expenditure, improve efficiencies and pursue new business opportunities over recent years, unfortunately there was no viable alternative to liquidation in the circumstances.”
"Our focus now is on realising the assets of the company in order to deliver a return to creditors. We expect a high level of interest in the company’s assets, especially the large amount of engineering plant and machinery.”
Liquidators are being assisted in the asset realisation process by Simon Cornelius-Light, a specialist agent at Lambert Smith Hampton, who commented: "We are delighted to be offering a range of high-quality machine tools for sale, which are already generating significant interest both across the UK and internationally. The machinery will be available to purchase via online auction in the coming weeks."
In accounts for the year ending March 31 2025, Witon Engineering Limited’s fixed assets were valued at £2.3 million and current assets at around £1.1 million, while net assets totalled close to £465,000.
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