Staniforth Motorcycle Wholesale, long-standing trade supplier of motorcycle parts, has entered voluntary liquidation proceedings. The Sheffield-based wholesaler, which has served dealers for more than 50 years, has convened a creditors’ meeting, with directors proposing the voluntary winding-up of the business pending creditor approval.
A voluntary liquidation, initiated by company directors, aims to ensure an orderly realisation of assets and the settlement of creditor claims through appointed insolvency practitioners. The move comes as businesses across the motorcycle sector face mounting trading pressures, with increasing costs, declining sales and tightening margins impacting the supply chain.
Staniforth, operating from a 12,000sq.ft two-level warehouse in a former engineering works in Ecclesfield, typically held £350,000-£450,000 of stock and supplied more than 1000 trade customers. Its wide-ranging inventory has encompassed many leading brands, including Rock Oil, Airsal, Athena, Haynes Manuals, BS Batteries, Optimate, Silkolene Oil, CL Brakes, HEL, Hiflo, NGK, DID, JT, Koyo, Venhill, and Tecnigas.
Founded by Doug Staniforth and later run by his son Peter, who retired in 2017, the business was led by co-directors John Sheldon and Neil Ashmore. Staniforth built its reputation on reliability and breadth of range, supporting dealers and workshops with a hands-on, trade-only, service.