Rugby ball firm goes into receivership

Mounting debts have led to administrative receivership

World-renowned rugby ball manufacturer, the James Gilbert Group, has gone into receivership.

The Warwickshire-based firm, which has been making rugby balls for more than 150 years, has been hit by high levels of debt, receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers announced on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the receivers said the company had gone into administrative receivership and it was hoped the firm would be "sold as a going concern".

"There has been a lot of interest so far," said the spokeswoman.

It enjoys an unparalleled reputation in the sport and we are confident ... we will succeed in finding a buyer

Stuart Maddison, PricewaterhouseCoopers

The Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of rugby balls, footwear, body protection and clothing.

The Group, which has an annual turnover of £7m, went into receivership on 22 July.

Its headquarters are in Rugby where it employs 47 people.

It also has operations in Australia, New Zealand and France, and is hoping to supply the balls for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Stuart Maddison, of PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: "The name Gilbert is as synonymous with Rugby as Twickenham.

"It enjoys an unparalleled reputation in the sport and we are confident that with the support of the management team, customers and suppliers we will succeed in finding a buyer for the group."