Family-run firm collapses into administration

A FAMILY-run factory that could trace its roots back nearly a century has collapsed into administration after being hit with rising costs and making huge losses. Meddings Thermalec Ltd operated a factory on the Lee Mill Industrial Estate near Plymouth where it made drills and swimming pool heaters.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

But after suffering huge financial losses it has ceased to trade and been placed into administration. Meddings was a well-established firm with roots dating back to the 1930s.

Over time it had adapted and expanded into manufacturing producing swimming pool heating systems, metal fabrication services, engineering machinery, as well as the Pillar Drill which enabled it to gain its reputation in the industry.

At the time production came to a halt, it was one of the few elite machine tool builders remaining in the UK.

In 2019 Meddings invested heavily in its metal fabrication and engineering machinery divisions to drive further sales and increase profitability.