Every supplier profile carries a company status. It describes who owns and runs the business today, not how well it is trading.
- Active
- Trading independently. This includes companies owned by private equity or other investors that have not been folded into another group.
- Acquired
- Bought by another group and now part of it. The business or brand still exists, and the profile names the current owner.
- Merged
- Combined with another company into a new or enlarged business. The profile names the company it became part of.
- Ceased Trading
- Dissolved, liquidated or no longer trading. A company can be Ceased Trading even if another firm later bought its brand or products.
- In Administration
- Currently in an insolvency process. The profile explains what has happened so far and is updated when the outcome is known.
Ownership and corporate history
Where a supplier has been bought, merged or closed, its profile has an ownership and corporate history section. It lists the key events with dates and sources, explains why a company closed or entered administration, and says who makes or supports its products now. It also shows former names, registry numbers and the date the status was last checked.
Why we keep closed companies
Many of the cars on Autotrayce are still in use long after their suppliers have changed hands. A buyer looking for parts or support for an older car needs to know who made the original part and who supports it today. That is why records for acquired and closed companies stay on the site.
If a status looks wrong, see Corrections and reporting an issue.