Around 140 jobs are under threat at a Birmingham automotive supply company after it fell into administration.
Paintbox Birmingham is still trading from its base in Kings Norton while administrators from Alvarez & Marsal explore options for the business, including seeking a potential buyer.
The company is part of a wider group headquartered in Banbury but that element does not come under this administration and continues to operate as normal.
The Paintbox group was founded in 1989 in Northamptonshire and counts major high-end automotive names such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce among its client base.
Its services include painting components such as doors and bumpers, supply chain management, assembly and product development.
The Birmingham factory was opened in 2001.
Joint administrator Paul Flint said: "The UK automotive industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, following a downturn in car orders which is now compounded by covid-19.
"Paintbox Birmingham has invested around £6 million in its state-of-the-art paint lines in recent years and, as a result, delivers high-quality products to its customers in the automotive and other sectors.
"We are hopeful of being able to find a solution which will secure the company's future.
"We understand this is unsettling news for the employees and will be doing all we can to support them over the weeks ahead."
