A long-established electro plating firm has been forced to cease trading after suffering a devastating fire.

Ray Owen Plating, in Hortonwood Industrial Estate, Telford, is to close with the loss of around 15 jobs.

The company, which provided zinc plating and metal finishing services, was hit by fire in November last year. Since that time it has not been able to operate while the necessary insurance claim procedures were followed.

The business, which was established in 1987, continued to pay the staff until the decision to go into administration was taken last week. The employees had been made redundant when it became clear that the company was no longer in a position to trade.

Matthew Hardy and Andrew Turpin of Poppleton & Appleby, which has offices in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, have been appointed as administrators of the company.

Matthew Hardy, partner at Poppleton & Appleby, said: “Unfortunately Ray Owen Plating has not been able to recover from the setbacks it suffered as a result of a fire at the site last year.

“We have received a number of enquiries in relation to the business assets, which are currently being explored, including the possibility of operations recommencing on site.

“We have instructed our agents, Edward Symmons in Birmingham, to assist in the sale of the company’s assets.”

Any interest parties should contact either Edward Symmons on 0121 200 7620 or the administrators on 0121 200 2962.