FRP’s David Acland and Anthony Collier were appointed as joint administrators of the business yesterday (13 December).

In a statement, FRP said that Works Manchester had “suffered cash flow pressures in recent months and efforts to secure a sale of the business were unsuccessful”.

“Regrettably, the company was unable to continue operating due to its financial position and has now ceased to trade, and all 91 members of staff have been made redundant.

“The joint administrators will now focus on maximising returns for creditors and will support all impacted employees with their claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.”

The firm had offered a range of signage, wide-format and commercial print services. 

Sanderson Weatherall is handling the sale of Works Manchester’s assets, and is currently assessing the equipment and related finance commitments ahead of finalising plans for an orderly disposal.

Works Manchester is the fifth PFI Group business where professionals from FRP Advisory have been appointed as administrators or liquidators this year.

The Works Manchester insolvency follows Futurama, Mardan Products, Sign Plus (and its divisions Lofthus Signs and Jasmine), and Signmaster ED.

PFI Group CEO Darren McMurray has not responded to requests for comment on recent events at the group.

PFI Group acquired Works Manchester in May 2022, but then failed to meet the agreed deferred payment schedule.