A UK manufacturing company founded more than 60 years ago has entered administration. Compact Orbital Gears Limited, which was founded in 1964, operates as a highly specialised engineering firm. The business designs, manufactures, and supplies a comprehensive range of gearboxes and test rigs. Gearboxes are components of a machine that control speed and power, while test rigs are custom machines used to test how well other equipment performs before it is used in the real world.

While its primary focus includes the demanding automotive and aerospace sectors, the company has also historically supplied components for complex industrial applications and the growing wind turbine market.

According to The Gazette, Andrew Turpin and Matthew Douglas Hardy of the insolvency firm Poppleton & Appleby were appointed as joint administrators on March 13. The company officially registered its office in Birmingham, while its principal manufacturing and trading address operated out of the Brynberth Industrial Estate in Rhayader, Powys.

Following their appointment, a formal notice was published in The Gazette on May 7, announcing that a virtual meeting of the company's creditors has been scheduled for 11:00 on June 2. The primary purpose of this meeting is to form a creditors' committee.

Throughout late 2025 and early 2026, the manufacturing sector has faced pressure from rising operational costs, supply chain bottlenecks, and tightening profit margins.

Several other established businesses have recently collapsed under similar economic strains. In February, British aerospace company Orbex entered administration.