WORKERS have been left bewildered and angry at the collapse of a company they were told would be invested in by a new owner.

Twenty five staff were made redundant when SH Foster Ltd in Woolston Grange went into administration.

They believe parent company MGM Precision Engineering Ltd did not do enough to keep it going.

The workers said that 31 staff had been laid off previously, that stock was sold without being replaced, that storage warehouses were closed, and that racking and computers were removed from the factory in Hardwick Grange.

"They kept saying we will find some funding for you," said worker Graeme Mills.

Employee Dave Haywood said: "There are people with mortgages and kids to feed."

The company was bought by ASD Engineering after it went into administration at the end of last year. The director and sole shareholder of that company was Andrew Dowd.

In February, the shares were transferred to another company Mr Dowd is also the director of and the sole shareholder in, called MGM Precision Engineering Ltd - and staff said this company also paid their wages.

SH Foster Ltd then traded for a few months before it went bust for the second and final time in June. Two transport companies said they are owed £66,000 for work done for SH Foster Ltd during this time.

The new administrator, Gary Corbett, of Milner, Boardman and Partners, said he 'doubted very much' if SH Foster Ltd could now be sold on as a going concern.

He said he had been told the factory computers had been removed for safekeeping and that he was investigating the alleged disappearance of the racking.

The Warrington Guardian phoned MGM Precision Engineering Ltd in Newcastle three times but our calls were not returned. Andrew Dowd, aged 51, and from Alderly Edge, could not be directly contacted as he is ex-directory.

sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk