PwC Appointed to Dunstall Holdings and Rea Valley Tractors as Wind-Down Begins

Tim Higgins, Edward Williams, and Jane Steer of PwC have been appointed joint administrators of Dunstall Holdings Limited and its operating subsidiary, Rea Valley Tractors Limited, after efforts to secure a going-concern sale fell short.

Headquartered in Burton-on-Trent, the group specialized in the sale, servicing, and repair of agricultural machinery, materials handling equipment, and workplace storage solutions. Rea Valley Tractors, in particular, was a familiar name across the Midlands, North West England, and Wales, with seven depots serving a wide customer base in the farming sector.

The companies had faced sustained trading difficulties and inflationary cost pressures, which left directors seeking a long-term solution via a sale of all or part of the business. Despite a broad marketing process, no viable offers were received for the group as a whole. The directors therefore opted to place the companies into administration.

With no going-concern rescue possible, the administrators confirmed that the group will be wound down over the coming weeks. While a small number of staff have been retained to support the process across the seven depots, 149 of the 169 employees were made redundant immediately upon appointment. PwC is liaising with the Redundancy Payments Service to facilitate statutory claims for affected employees.

“Rea Valley Tractors is one of the most recognisable names in the local agricultural industry and it’s with great sadness that it has entered administration today along with Dunstall Holdings,” Higgins said. “Regrettably, 149 employees have been made redundant. We know how unsettling this will be for the people affected, as well as the group’s customers at this important time of year, and we will be providing all parties with the necessary support.”