Factory Transmedia Ltd, a prominent animation business headquartered in Altrincham, has ceased operations and entered into liquidation, according to joint liquidators Conrad Pearson and Patrick Lannagan from Mazars.
The company, known for its production and creative excellence, specialized in a diverse range of animation-led projects, including well-known titles such as The Clangers, Scream Street, and Strange Hill High.
A spokesperson for Mazars cited challenging market conditions over the past year as a significant factor leading to the insolvency of Factory Transmedia. The decline in projects green-lit by broadcasters worldwide, coupled with shifts in the global economy and audience behaviors, contributed to the company’s financial difficulties.
The closure of Factory Transmedia has resulted in eight job losses, impacting both the company’s workforce and the wider North West creative sector.
Factory was a full-service studio with its productions airing on major networks such as CBBC, CBeebies, ITV, Disney, and Nickelodeon. Over its tenure since 2010, the studio amassed an impressive portfolio, producing over 80 hours of animated content, including three specials for Disney and Club Penguin.
At its peak, Factory operated out of a 35,000 square foot studio and office space, employing over 100 staff during busy periods. The company experienced growth in 2019 with the expansion of its digital division and the addition of 25 new staff members following a major commission for a feature-length 2D animation based on a book by former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.
In 2017, Factory diversified its operations with the launch of Factory Rights, a licensing and brand management division, following the acquisition of Rollo Rights.
The closure of Factory Transmedia marks a significant loss for the North West’s creative landscape, signaling the challenges faced by animation studios in an evolving media landscape.
