UK car parts supplier Unipart Automotive has entered into administration with the loss of 1,244 jobs.
KPMG's Mark Orton, Will Wright and Jonny Marston have been appointed as joint administrators.
The administrators have sold part of the business in a joint deal to Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance.
The deal will save 361 staff across the 21 branches to be acquired by Andrew Page and 12 branches by The Parts Alliance. Around 208 workers have been retained to assist the administrators.
KPMG partner and joint administrator Mark Orton said: "Despite intensive efforts over recent weeks, a sale of the whole Unipart Automotive business could not be reached, and a buyer could only be found for 33 of the sites on a going concern basis.
"Unfortunately, the business had been experiencing financial stress for a number of years, so the level of cash and further operational restructuring required to rescue a more substantial part of the business posed too much risk for most interested parties."
Unipart Group chairman and CEO John Neill said: "We are saddened by the Unipart Automotive situation and even though we sold control of this business years ago, we are concerned for the future of the employees."
Previously known as Partco, Unipart Automotive was sold by Unipart Group to private equity firm H2 Equity Partners in 2011.
Headquartered in Solihull, Unipart Automotive operates 180 branches and distribution hubs under the Unipart Automotive, Partco Autoparts, and Express Factors brands, and has a workforce of 1,813.
