British Motorcycle Manufacturer Norton Enters Administration

Norton, the British motorcycle manufacturer, was placed in administration on January 29, 2020.

The brand had been famous for its participation in motorcycle racing from the dawn of the 20th century until the present day.

Its most famous exploit in racing is still perhaps the 1992 Senior TT victory, achieved with Steve Hislop aboard a rotary-powered Norton RCW588, although the brand saw success in the early days of grand prix motorcycle racing, in the days when the winning motorcycles were produced in Europe, before the arrival of the Japanese. 

After financial difficulties struck Norton back in 2008, the company was bought by Stuart Garner, who has overseen the project since and saw the marque return to the Isle of Man TT in 2015 with Cameron Donald. Norton maintained a presence at the IOMTT up until last year when it fielded John McGuiness, who signed for Kawasaki for 2020 despite having a contract with Norton. 

The entrance to administration of Norton comes after the brand had fallen behind on a tax payment of £300,000 which resulted in a winding up order. 

Administration firm BDO told the BBC that “all necessary steps” are being taken “to ensure that customers, staff and suppliers are supported through the administration process”.

Norton joins two other of Mr. Garner’s companies that are in administration, and its 100 employees at its Castle Donington factory are now at risk.