JOBS at a Kidderminster warehousing and distribution operation are under a cloud after its parent company went into administration this week.

Gaskell Logistics, which employs 39 people at Churchfields Business Park in Clensmore Street, belongs to Lancashire-based Gaskell, which came under the management of administrators last Friday.

One person was made redundant at Kidderminster on Tuesday.

Gaskell produces premium branded floor coverings for the residential and commercial markets. It also supplies other retailers in the industry.

The Kidderminster site is all that remains of the former Tomkinsons carpet-making company, that ceased production two years ago after being acquired by Gaskell for £12.2 million in 1999.

Tomkinsons had made carpets for more than 130 years until its eventual demise, with its factory broken up into industrial units and offices for rent.

Administrators from corporate advisory and restructuring group, Kroll, will continue to run Gaskell's trading subsidiaries, including the Kidderminster distribution centre, while trying to sell it as a going concern.

Kroll said "significant interest" had already been shown by several potential purchasers. Peter Holder, a partner at Kroll and one of the joint administrators, said: "I am confident that with the combined support of the group's loyal customer base and dedicated workforce a going concern sale will be achieved."