Liberty House Group has acquired a manufacturer of cast aluminium engine and vehicle components in a rescue deal that helps save the jobs of around 550 workers, including a number in Essex.

The group has bought the trade and assets of Amtek Aluminium Castings (Witham) Limited and King Automotive Systems Limited (Amtek UK) for an undisclosed sum from administrators PwC.

Amtek UK, which supplies major vehicle manufacturers, has two plants in the West Midlands and one at Witham, near Braintree.

The business manufactures aluminium die castings and undertakes a range of processes including machining, assembly and testing of parts used in engines and powertrain components.

Almost all of its products go directly to leading vehicle manufacturers in the UK and EU.

Sanjeev Gupta, executive chairman of the Liberty House Group said: “Despite current challenges, this operation is a valuable asset and a vital part of the UK and EU automotive supply chain.

“We are very pleased to use our resources and extensive experience in the automotive sector to rescue this enterprise and enable it to recover and reach its true potential.

“We greatly value the specialist skills of the workforce and we will be working closely with them and with key customers to get the business back on a sound footing.”