Major UK Car Service Firm ATS Euromaster Winds Down Operations
A significant player in the UK car servicing industry, ATS Euromaster, has announced it is winding down its operations, putting more than 700 jobs at risk. The company, based in Aston, has initiated a structured wind-down following substantial financial losses, marking a challenging period for the automotive sector.
Garage Closures and Job Losses
ATS Euromaster recently closed 86 of its most unprofitable centres in 2025, citing adverse market conditions. The shake-up means that 703 roles across the head office, call centre, and remaining 103 locations are now at risk of redundancy if proposals proceed. This decision impacts employees, their families, and the communities served by the company.
Efforts to Preserve Jobs Through Sales
In a bid to save as many positions as possible, ATS Euromaster confirmed that two buyers have expressed interest in acquiring parts of its network. The company proposes to sell 35 of its 152 points of sale to Formula One Autocentres and is exploring the sale of 14 locations to S&M Tyres, which trades as Elite Garages. Under Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations, 216 employees across 49 sites are expected to transfer to these new owners.
Challenges Leading to Wind-Down
Nick Harley, group managing director of Euromaster UK, described the announcement as an extremely sad and difficult moment. He stated that despite the team's massive efforts to reshape the business, a combination of intense market competition, sluggish sector activity, and rising costs has left the company with no viable path to break-even. The reduced scale of the network would lack the geographic reach needed to compete effectively in the UK, making continued operations unviable.
The wind-down reflects broader pressures in the automotive service industry, highlighting issues such as economic strain and competitive dynamics. As ATS Euromaster transitions, the focus remains on supporting affected staff and managing the sale processes to mitigate job losses where possible.
