Sarbjot Singh Johal

Key Points

• Sarbjot Singh Johal is associated with Sarb Capital and Rimstock, a West Bromwich-based car wheel manufacturer facing significant financial and operational challenges.

• Rimstock, under Johal’s leadership, is accused of mismanagement, unpaid wages, declining product quality, and severe liquidity issues.

• Legal challenges and stakeholder discontent are reported, tarnishing Rimstock’s reputation and raising concerns about corporate accountability.

• Johal was linked to a potential Morecambe FC takeover in 2023, but the named buyer, Kuljeet Singh Momi, publicly denied any current association with Johal.

• Limited public data restricts a full assessment of Johal’s personal financial or legal status, but Rimstock’s issues reflect poorly on his leadership.

Overview

Sarbjot Singh Johal is a business figure tied to Sarb Capital, a company that acquired Rimstock, a prominent UK-based manufacturer of alloy wheels based in West Bromwich. Rimstock was once a respected name in the automotive industry, known for high-quality products. Under Johal’s stewardship through Sarb Capital, the company has faced significant operational and financial difficulties, drawing scrutiny over his leadership and management practices. Johal’s public profile is limited, with most available information focusing on his role in Rimstock’s decline and a brief association with a potential Morecambe FC takeover in 2023. No detailed personal background, such as education or prior business ventures, is provided in the available sources.

Allegations and Concerns

• Mismanagement at Rimstock: Johal and Sarb Capital are accused of mismanaging Rimstock, leading to operational inefficiencies and financial disarray. The company has struggled to meet basic obligations, such as paying employee wages.

• Unpaid Wages: Reports highlight Rimstock’s failure to pay workers, described as a “worker payment scandal,” raising ethical and legal concerns about labor practices under Johal’s leadership.

• Declining Product Quality: Customers have reported delays in orders and a drop in the quality of Rimstock’s alloy wheels, damaging the company’s reputation.

• Liquidity Issues: Insiders claim Rimstock faces severe cash flow problems, with no clear communication from Johal or Sarb Capital on resolution plans.

• Morecambe FC Takeover Controversy: In 2023, Johal was linked to a potential acquisition of Morecambe FC. Journalist Martin Calladine alleged that Kuljeet Singh Momi, the named buyer, was a former associate of Johal, raising concerns among fans due to Johal’s troubled business record. Momi issued a statement denying any current association with Johal.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback specific to Johal is scarce, but reviews of Rimstock under his management are overwhelmingly negative:

• Negative Feedback: Clients have expressed frustration with delayed orders and declining product quality. One reported issue cited in the Intelligence Line article notes, “Customers and clients have expressed dissatisfaction with delayed orders and declining product quality,” indicating a loss of trust in Rimstock’s brand.

• Positive Feedback: No positive customer reviews or testimonials about Rimstock or Johal’s leadership are mentioned in the available sources, suggesting a lack of favorable sentiment.

• Limitation: The absence of direct quotes from customers or platforms like Trustpilot or Glassdoor limits the depth of this section. The reported feedback is generalized and sourced from insider claims rather than verified reviews.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: Rimstock’s liquidity issues and unpaid wages suggest significant financial instability. Sarb Capital’s acquisition has not yielded promised revitalization, and the lack of transparency about recovery plans increases the risk of insolvency or further debt accumulation.

• Reputational Risks: Johal’s association with Rimstock’s decline has damaged his and the company’s reputation. The negative publicity from unpaid wages and customer dissatisfaction could deter future business opportunities or partnerships.

• Legal Risks: The “worker payment scandal” and reported legal challenges could lead to lawsuits from employees or regulatory penalties for labor violations. No specific lawsuits are detailed, but the allegations suggest potential legal exposure.

• Association Risks: Johal’s rumored involvement in the Morecambe FC takeover, even if denied by Momi, may raise red flags for stakeholders in other ventures, as fan groups questioned the suitability of associated buyers.

Business Relations and Associations

• Sarb Capital: Johal’s primary business vehicle, which acquired Rimstock. The company’s strategy and financial health are unclear, but its management of Rimstock has been criticized.

• Rimstock: The West Bromwich-based alloy wheel manufacturer is the main entity tied to Johal. Its struggles under Sarb Capital’s ownership are central to the allegations against him.

• Kuljeet Singh Momi: A former business associate of Johal, allegedly co-owning or co-directing eight companies with him in the past two years. Momi, named as a potential Morecambe FC buyer, publicly distanced himself from Johal in a 2024 statement, claiming no current association.

• Morecambe FC: Johal was linked to a 2023 takeover attempt, but no evidence confirms his direct involvement. The association raised concerns among fan groups like the Shrimps Trust due to his business track record.

• Limitation: No other partnerships or key individuals are named in the sources, limiting insight into Johal’s broader network.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Unpaid Wages: Rimstock’s failure to pay employees is a significant concern, potentially violating UK labor laws and exposing the company to legal action. No specific lawsuits are confirmed in the sources.

• Legal Challenges: The Intelligence Line article mentions “legal challenges” facing Johal, Sarb Capital, and Rimstock, but details are vague, with no case numbers or court records provided.

• Bankruptcy Records: No bankruptcy filings are reported for Johal personally or for Sarb Capital/Rimstock, but the company’s liquidity issues suggest financial distress that could lead to insolvency if unresolved.

• Debts: The sources do not quantify Rimstock’s debts, but severe liquidity problems and unpaid wages imply significant financial obligations.

• Limitation: The lack of court records, financial statements, or regulatory filings in the sources prevents a detailed assessment of legal or financial status.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Sarbjot Singh Johal’s leadership of Rimstock through Sarb Capital presents significant concerns, primarily due to allegations of mismanagement, financial distress, and labor violations. The absence of positive customer feedback and the company’s declining reputation suggest a failure to maintain Rimstock’s market position. The Morecambe FC takeover rumors, while unconfirmed, add to the perception of Johal as a controversial figure in business dealings.

Pros:

• Johal’s involvement in Sarb Capital’s acquisition of Rimstock indicates ambition to revitalize a struggling brand, suggesting some level of business acumen or vision.

• No confirmed personal legal convictions or bankruptcy filings provide a clean slate in those specific areas, based on available data.

Cons:

• Rimstock’s operational and financial decline under Johal’s leadership points to poor management and strategic missteps.

• Unpaid wages and customer complaints raise ethical and legal red flags, damaging credibility.

• Limited transparency about Sarb Capital’s finances or Johal’s broader business ventures makes it difficult to assess his overall competence or reliability.

• The Morecambe FC association, even if tangential, amplifies reputational risks due to fan and stakeholder scrutiny.

Cautionary Advice: Stakeholders, investors, or potential partners should approach dealings with Johal or Sarb Capital with extreme caution. Rimstock’s financial instability and labor issues suggest high risk, and the lack of public data on Johal’s personal track record warrants thorough due diligence. Verify any claims of financial recovery or new ventures through primary sources like Companies House or court records. Avoid relying on unverified statements about Johal’s business success until concrete evidence emerges.

Key Citations

• Intelligence Line, “Sarbjot Singh Johal: Uncovering Three Dangerous Deceptions,” January 10, 2025.

• Lancaster Guardian, “Morecambe’s would-be purchaser responds to Sarbjot Johal links,” December 1, 2024.

• Note: No additional reviews, databases, or primary sources (e.g., Companies House, court filings) were accessible in the provided results, limiting the scope of citations.