Jobs go at lighting manufacturer

The company distributes its products around the world

One of Cornwall's most successful firms has gone into administration, with the loss of 260 jobs.

Fitzgerald Lighting, based in Bodmin, has been trading for about 30 years.

The company has blamed the current economic climate, but said attempts are being made to find someone who may be willing to take on the business.

The company, which manufactures and distributes industrial, commercial and domestic lighting, had a workforce of 521 at its height. It now employs 370.

I feel I know so many staff personally and I am extremely concerned as to their future

Peter Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Lighting

Two hundred and forty of the jobs will go from its Bodmin headquarters.

Managing director Peter Fitzgerald said continued losses and economic downturn had made it impossible to trade out of trouble.

In a statement he said: "I feel I know so many staff personally and I am extremely concerned as to their future.

"We will leave the scene with very great sadness for our manufacturing and sales team, but also for their families and our suppliers who will be hoping that from administration some relief is available."

Administrator KPMG said it was always upsetting when an established manufacturing business entered insolvency.

KPMG spokesman Richard Hill said a number of parties had expressed interest in parts of the business and the administrator would be talking to all potential purchasers with a view to selling whatever it could as a going concern.

Fitzgerald Lighting also has distribution depots in Birmingham, Edinburgh, St Helens, West London, Belfast, Dublin and Dubai.