Derwent Packaging Limited, a Derbyshire-based packaging company established in 1994, collapsed into administration on July 8, 2026, but a rapid sale completed within a day has saved all 33 jobs and allowed the business to continue operating from its long-standing Denby manufacturing site.
The company, which creates innovative cardboard displays and retail display solutions for major brands across the UK and Europe, had been facing severe financial pressures. Its latest Companies House filing shows tangible assets dropped from £330,410 to £270,657 between 2024 and 2025, and cashflow issues forced it to cease trading.
Administration and immediate sale
A notice published on July 15 confirmed that Benjamin Fallon and Louise Longley, both of BTG, Begbies Traynor, were appointed as joint administrators on July 8. Within a day of their appointment, the administrators completed a fast sale process, and Derwent Packaging Limited was acquired by Mailway Displays.
The acquisition is described as a strong fit, with Mailway Displays gaining additional manufacturing capacity, an experienced workforce, an established customer base, free production capabilities, and the ability to continue serving customers from the existing Denby site.
Impact on jobs and creditors
Ben Fallon, Joint Administrator at BTG, commented: "This outcome has protected jobs, delivered value for creditors, and secured the future of a long-established manufacturer with an excellent reputation within the retail display and packaging sector." All 33 employees were retained, and the business continues to operate from its Derbyshire site where it has been for more than three decades.
The collapse comes amid a broader financial crisis affecting UK businesses, with rising labour costs, higher energy bills, and lower customer spending putting pressure on companies across sectors.
