French regional newspaper Le Courrier Picard has reported that Goss was placed in administration this morning by the Commercial Court of Compiègne.

Redressement judiciare allows an insolvent company more time and freedom to restructure than UK administration, making it more like Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US.

An administrator has reportedly been appointed by the court with an initial restructuring period of six months.

Goss last restructured its French operations in 2010, leading to a headcount reduction of almost 50% at Montataire, which employed 623 staff in 2010.

Goss currently employs 433 staff in France, including 320 at its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Montataire and 110 at its site in Nantes, which provides business consultancy and aftersales service.

Goss chief executive Rick Nichols, who replaced former boss Jochen Meissner last summer, told staff via an internal memo last week that the firm was planning to reorganise its European operations and push into new markets.

Goss was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.