Coventry Automotive Engineering Specialist HPL Prototypes Enters Administration
Historic Coventry-based automotive engineering firm HPL Prototypes has collapsed into administration, resulting in the immediate loss of 65 jobs. The company, which specialized in designing and engineering prototype and concept cars for major manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce, ceased operations following a period of severe financial distress.
Staff Left Unpaid for Weeks Amid Outstanding Overtime Claims
According to sources speaking to the BBC, some employees have not received their wages for six weeks and are still owed overtime payments from work completed over the busy Christmas period. Accounting firm RSM UK has been appointed as joint administrators to manage the company's affairs.
A spokesperson for RSM UK confirmed that affected employees are now making claims through the Redundancy Payments Service to recover any owed wages and salary, including unpaid overtime. The administration process highlights the ongoing challenges faced by skilled workers in the UK's manufacturing sector during economic uncertainty.
A Legacy of Automotive Innovation Dating Back to the 1920s
HPL Prototypes operated from a site with a rich automotive heritage stretching back to the 1920s. During the 1950s, the facility served as the base for Triumph's Le Mans racing team, and from 1960 to 1980, it housed Triumph's prototyping division.
In the 1980s, MGA Developments manufactured iconic concept cars at the location, including McLaren's F1 concept and the Bentley Java concept. Lotus Prototype Cars also produced the M250 model there in the 1990s before HPL took ownership in 2000.
The company's website previously stated its commitment to continuing this groundbreaking spirit and maintaining a position at the forefront of automotive engineering, making its sudden collapse particularly poignant for the local community.
Political Response and Broader Economic Context
Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi visited the HPL Prototypes site in January and praised the firm's "incredible innovation." She highlighted the highly skilled workforce and cutting-edge facilities as examples of Coventry's proud manufacturing heritage and its promising future in advanced engineering.
The closure occurs amid a wider trend of business failures affecting the UK economy, ranging from high street retail giants to independent enterprises. This administration underscores the vulnerabilities within specialized manufacturing sectors despite their historical significance and technical expertise.
The loss of HPL Prototypes represents not only immediate job losses but also a blow to Coventry's reputation as a hub for automotive innovation and prototype development.
