Cofast and NDB Engineering sold in pre-pack administration to Clarity Group

Cofast and its sister company NDB Engineering Limited, suppliers of fasteners and precision engineering components to the defence and nuclear sectors, were sold through a pre-pack administration completed in late January 2026. Robert Ferne and Kirstie Provan of Begbies Traynor were appointed as administrators of NDB Engineering Limited on 27 January 2026 and immediately concluded a sale of the business and assets.

The purchaser was Clarity Group, which acquired both NDB Engineering and its affiliated fastener supply business, Cofast. The transaction preserved more than 60 jobs and allowed the business to continue trading without interruption, with Cofast operating under its existing name following completion.

Cofast operates from a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Willenhall in the West Midlands, alongside a logistics centre in Plymouth, supplying standard fasteners and bespoke turned parts to customers across multiple industrial sectors. The group employs approximately 64 staff and generates around £7 million in annual revenue, with a significant proportion of its order book tied to long-term relationships in defence, nuclear, and other safety-critical industries.

Following the acquisition, Clarity Group has indicated that the business will receive further investment aimed at improving productivity and automation, including the deployment of robotics across manufacturing operations. The buyer has also identified opportunities to expand the group’s presence in markets benefiting from increased public and private investment, including defence infrastructure, naval projects, and nuclear decommissioning.

Management continuity has been maintained, with existing leadership remaining in place to run the business post-transaction. The integration is expected to create operational synergies with other Clarity Group engineering businesses, while allowing Cofast and NDB Engineering to pursue new contracts in adjacent sectors such as aerospace.