VCS and Treka are both plunged into administration

Administrators have been appointed at Vehicle Conversion Specialists Limited, which has a factory on Staithgate Lane, Bradford, where it makes ambulances and police vehicles.

Minibus manufacturer Treka Bus Limited, based on Armytage Road Industrial Estate in Brighouse, is also in administration. 

Treka, Brighouse (Image: Google Street View)

Their parent company, Bolton-based WN Vtech Holdings, has also called in administrators. 

It is understood the businesses will continue to trade while administrators from insolvency firm Teneo seek to find a solution.

The T&A asked Teneo and Rutland Partners, owner of the WN Vtech group of companies, for more information - including why administrators had been appointed - but has not yet received a response. 

A statement on the companies' websites states: "Daniel James Mark Smith and Julian Heathcote were appointed joint administrators over Treka Bus Limited, Promech Technologies Limited, Vehicle Conversion Specialists Limited, WN Vtech Holdings Limited, JM Engineering (Scarborough) Limited and WN Vtech Limited (together 'the companies') on November 20, 2023. 

"The affairs, business and property of the companies are managed by the joint administrators. The joint administrators act as agents of the companies and contract without personal liability.

"For any queries please contact either WNVTechgroupcreditors@teneo.com or your usual contact at the companies."

Earlier this year, the Telegraph & Argus reported how Vehicle Conversion Specialists Limited announced the creation of 150 jobs when it moved into its Staithgate Lane factory.

It was described by one Bradford councillor as "the largest dedicated ambulance and police vehicle factory in the UK".

At the time, Frank Barrett, chief executive at WN Vtech, said: "Our recent growth and expansion are a testament to the dedication and continuous innovation of our teams across the group. 

"We are thrilled to welcome our new hires, and to move Vehicle Conversion Specialists Limited into its new facility. 

"The new site will ensure we continue to deliver world-class emergency vehicles to our customers in the UK and beyond, and I'm personally incredibly proud of the opportunities for skills training it will provide.

"We are excited about the future and look forward to maintaining our position as a leader in specialist vehicle manufacturing."

Vehicle Conversion Specialists Limited hit the headlines in 2020 when it produced the UK's first zero emissions electric ambulance, 

It is understood WN Vtech employs 600 people and manufactures vehicles at nine production sites across the country.