WORKERS at a textile company face an uncertain future after it was placed into administration.

Textile manufacturer JH Birtwistle and Co Ltd, Haslingden, has brought in administrators Begbies Traynor in a move that will lead to an unconfirmed number of job losses.

The firm employs 102 staff at its Grane Road Mill site, Haslingden, but ran into problems because of the failure of sister company Stead McAlpin and Co., Carlisle, according to the administrators.

Stead McAlpin, a textile printers, was JH Birtwistle’s main customer.

Joint administrator Julian Pitts, Begbies Traynor, said: “We are confident that we will be able to sell the business as a going concern, so safeguarding the remaining jobs at the mill.

“With its hundred year history, the firm is long-established and well-respected within the industry. The mill is a significant size with 75 weaving looms and a £7million turnover which we believe will make it an attractive proposition for a potential purchaser.”

The Haslingden firm was formed in 1882 and established a strong reputation for weaving fabrics for use in the manufacture of home furnishings.

JH Birtwistle was sold by the John Lewis Partnership in 2007 and became part of Apex Textiles Ltd.

Staff at the company said they were devastated by the news.

A worker, who asked not to be named, said: “People feel let down by the partnership that took over the company and this has come as such a shock.

“Some people have worked here for 20 or 30 years and don’t know what to do now.”