A HORWICH airflow technology firm has gone into administration with the loss of 70 jobs.

Mach-Aire Ltd, based on Bridge Street, has ceased trading and all employees have been made redundant.

It is understood the company had suffered "substantial losses" on certain contracts and had been having cash flow problems.

Workers at the company were informed yesterday morning that their employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

It is believed that weekly paid staff received payment on Thursday for their work up until the end of last week, but monthly paid staff, who were paid at the end of January, will not receive any payment for their work in February.

The business, which describes itself as a national leader in the design, engineering, installation and maintenance of controlled environment and airflow technology, has a turnover of £8 million and employed 70 full and part-time staff.

The company, which recently announced a joint venture in China, has a client base spread across a number of sectors including pharmaceutical, education, healthcare, retail and manufacturing.

The redundancies were made after the appointment of Tom Maclennan and Ben Woolrych of FRP Advisory LLP as joint administrators.

The two men, who are partners in FRP Advisory LLP are now seeking a buyer for the business and its assets.

Mr Woolrych said:“It goes without saying that we have huge sympathy for those employees who have regrettably been made redundant.

"As joint administrators our immediate focus will be to assist staff who have lost their jobs and provide them with the necessary support to submit timely claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.

"Mach-Aire is highly regarded for its expertise in the specialist field of controlled environment engineering. The company has a strong track record and reputation for technical expertise, design innovation and service.

"The administration presents an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneur or related business to acquire and develop the brand, we would urge interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”

MP Julie Hilling who represents Bolton West, said: “I have tremendous sympathy with all the staff who have been made redundant who must be desperately worried at this moment in time.

“It is always sad when we lose any jobs — let alone 70 in one go.”

Ms Hilling said if any of the people affected wish to speak to her to see how she can help, they can contact her on julie.hilling.mp@parliament.uk

No one at Mach-Aire was available for comment.