UK-based textile machine manufacturer Cobble Blackburn Ltd. has completed the purchase of the intellectual property rights of Thom Engineering Limited from the company’s administrators.

Thom Engineering Limited, based in Blackburn, which entered administration in the last quarter of 2011, manufactured a limited range of tufting machines. The company also refurbished carpet tufting equipment, including machines made and supplied by other manufacturers. Cobble is currently undertaking a detailed review of the products made by Thom Engineering to decide how and where they can be integrated, and supported, within the Cobble range worldwide.

In view of its growing order book and future manufacturing commitments, Cobble has also been able to offer permanent employment to several ex-members of the Thom Engineering workforce, helping to reduce the impact of the company’s closure on the local economy, according to Cobble.