A REGENERATION boss has spoken of his sadness at the demise of a Kidderminster car part manufacturing firm which has resulted in the loss of more than 40 jobs.

Last week, it was announced that Smethwick Drop Forge Ltd, on Stourport Road, had gone into administration as a result of falling sales and a failure to find a buyer. All 43 members of staff were immediately made redundant.

Wyre Forest District Council deputy leader Councillor Hardiman said the authority had tried to support SDF in recent years and were keen to help the administrators find a new buyer.

Cllr Hardiman, who is also cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “The Council is saddened to hear of the news that SDF has gone into administration.

“The company was a welcome manufacturing business in the car components supply chain in the district.

“The Council has been in a dialogue for quite some time with SDF in an attempt to support new investment into the business and has been offering financial support to the company by way of deferring its business rates for the last couple of years to help with cash flow.

“The Council will be keen to continue to work with the administrator to help find a buyer for the business and will offer any support and guidance we can to affected employees.”

Chris Pole and Mark Orton from KPMG Restructuring were appointed Joint Administrators on November 28.

Mr Pole said: “Like many suppliers in the manufacturing industry, Smethwick Drop Forge has been affected by difficult trading conditions which has ultimately resulted in the directors taking the difficult decision to close its operations and place the business into administration.

“Over the coming days, our main focus is on supporting employees with their redundancy claims and seeking a buyer for the business’ assets while we work to effect an orderly closure of the business.

“We would encourage anybody who may be interested to contact the joint administrators as soon as possible.”