Breaking The Mould

BRK International is restructuring its business following trading difficulties earlier this year. It acquired its major competitor Johnson Radley in 2000 and decided to consolidate the two businesses onto a single site after JR's principal customer, United Glass, transferred most of its mould business to a Hungarian supplier. The process was more costly than anticipated and seriously disrupted delivery and quality performance. BRK went into administration in January, but was returned to the control of the directors in April following creditors' approval of a Company Voluntary Arrangement. Leading the restructuring is new MD David Mitchell, who, for the last seven years has specialised in trouble-shooting at under-performing UK companies.