Precision Fabrications Andover Ltd in Administration
Precision Fabrications Andover Ltd has entered administration, with formal notice published in The Gazette on 26 October 2026. The Hampshire-based metal manufacturing business is now subject to statutory proceedings overseen by the High Court of Justice.
Corporate credit managers and commercial counterparties exposed to the business face immediate restrictions on debt enforcement under the statutory moratorium created by the proceedings.
Gazette notice details
The appointment was recorded under notice code 2410 in The Gazette on 26 October 2026.
- Company name: PRECISION FABRICATIONS ANDOVER LTD
- Company number: 11646086
- Court: High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts in Manchester, Company and Insolvency List
- Case number: 01441 of 2026
- Appointing party: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
- Administrators and office holder details: [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Company snapshot
According to Companies House, Precision Fabrications Andover Ltd was incorporated on 29 October 2018. The company is registered under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 25110, covering the manufacture of metal structures and parts of structures.
Its registered office address is Unit 9, North Way, Andover, United Kingdom, SP10 5AZ. Up-to-date filing figures and submitted accounts are maintained on the official register.
Directors and ownership
Public register filings list three current and former officers:
- Jonathan Lees: Appointed as director on 29 October 2018. Born in September 1994, British nationality, resident in the United Kingdom.
- Caroline Zara Lees: Appointed as director on 1 January 2025. Born in April 1958, British nationality, resident in Northern Ireland.
- Joshua Brocklebank-Smith: Appointed as director on 1 April 2020 and resigned on 31 December 2024. Born in April 1991, British nationality, resident in England.
On the register of Persons with Significant Control (PSC):
- Mr Jonathan Lees: Notified on 29 October 2018. Holds 50% to 75% of shares, 50% to 75% of voting rights, and the right to appoint and remove directors.
- Mrs Caroline Zara Lees: Notified on 1 October 2022 and ceased on 28 October 2024. Held 25% to 50% of shares, 25% to 50% of voting rights, and the right to appoint and remove directors prior to cessation.
These details represent public register records and do not imply any finding of fault or liability against any named individual.
What administration means for creditors and customers
When a company enters administration under Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986, an interim statutory moratorium takes effect immediately. This prevents creditors from initiating or continuing legal claims, winding up petitions, or asset seizures against the company without the permission of the court or the consent of the administrators.
Key operational implications include:
- Contractual claims: Pre-appointment debts cannot be recovered through routine debt collection or court judgments.
- Retention of title (RoT): Suppliers seeking to repossess unpaid materials must submit proof of valid title clauses to the administrators.
- Customer contracts: Existing purchase orders and manufacturing contracts fall under the authority of the joint administrators.
This summary provides general statutory information and does not constitute formal legal advice.
Creditor exposure analysis
When engineering and fabrication businesses enter insolvency, supply chains often face split-tier claims based on security structure and contract terms:
| Creditor Category | Statutory Position | Primary Risk Factor |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Secured Lenders | Hold fixed or floating charges over equipment or debtor books | Priority recovery over unencumbered plant and real estate |
| Secondary Preferential | Statutory ranking for PAYE, employee NICs, and VAT | Prioritised ahead of unsecured suppliers under s.176A |
| Trade Suppliers (Unsecured) | Rank alongside trade creditors after costs and priority debts | Dividend subject to net asset realisations |
| Asset Lessors | Equipment leased under hire purchase or operational leases | Governed by moratorium rules; repossession requires consent |
Scenario: managing trade debt in manufacturing administration
Consider an industrial steel supplier that supplied £42,000 in raw stock to a fabrication workshop thirty days before administration.
1. Moratorium barrier: The supplier cannot dispatch couriers to reclaim metal offcuts or issue a statutory demand.
2. Retention of title assertion: If the contract includes an enforceable all-monies RoT clause, the supplier must notify the administrators before the materials are cut, welded, or resold in production.
3. Proof of debt submission: If the goods have already been transformed or integrated, the supplier must complete a formal proof of debt form and rank as an unsecured creditor.
Conducting a timely winding up search prior to renewing commercial credit lines allows suppliers to identify distressed counterparties before credit exposure peaks.
Action checklist for affected counterparties
Commercial partners and suppliers affected by the appointment should take the following steps:
1. Cease credit deliveries: Halt further shipments or ongoing work unless instructed in writing by the appointed administrators on an administrator expense basis.
2. Collate documentation: Gather signed terms of business, delivery notes, unpaid invoices, and RoT schedules.
3. Submit formal notice: Lodge proof of debt documentation and retention of title claims directly with the administrators via the contact channel listed in the statutory notice.
4. Audit customer portfolio: Run a comprehensive winding up petition search across high-balance trade debtors to isolate systemic exposure across the sector.
Traditional record checks compared with Corp Intel
Credit controllers routinely rely on manual Companies House searches, court cause list reviews, and telephone calls to the Insolvency Service to identify insolvency risk. However, official register updates often lag behind court filings, leaving creditors unaware of petitions until goods have already left the warehouse.
Corp Intel consolidates court proceedings, Gazette notices, and Companies House records into a unified verification feed. Instead of cross-checking multiple platforms, corporate credit teams receive structured alerts that reveal court filings and status changes as they occur.
For credit teams and suppliers
Supply chain managers and credit underwriters reviewing metal fabricators must identify distress before statutory protections prevent recovery. Overlooking court filings leaves businesses holding uncollectable debts and compromised raw inventory. Implementing free company monitoring ensures credit teams receive automated filing alerts the moment a partner faces court action.
FAQ
What court issued the administration order for Precision Fabrications Andover Ltd?
The proceedings are registered in the High Court of Justice Business and Property Courts in Manchester, Company and Insolvency List, under case reference 01441 of 2026.
How can suppliers claim unpaid invoices?
Unsecured creditors must submit a proof of debt form to the appointed administrators, accompanied by unpaid invoices, statement of account, and contractual delivery receipts.
Can a supplier reclaim unpaid goods from the company premises?
Suppliers with valid retention of title terms must obtain permission from the administrators or an order from the court before attempting to recover goods from the company site.
How does a winding up search help prevent credit loss?
A winding up search identifies whether a customer or supplier is subject to an active court petition, allowing credit teams to suspend terms before the statutory freeze begins.