New blow as 44 city jobs axed

Firms go into liquidation

Stirling has received a further jobs blow with news that two companies have gone into liquidation.

Window and door manufacturer Guardian Systems (Scotland) and sister company Guardian Soft Furnishings have closed with the loss of 44 jobs.

The companies are based at Springkerse Industrial Estate and their loss comes less than a month after banking giant HSBC announced it was shedding 90 jobs in Stirling.

Guardian Systems, which employed 27 staff, is reported to have run into cashflow difficulties due to a fall in orders over the summer.

Appointed liquidators from Campbell Dallas said the company, which manufactured and supplied custommade windows, doors, conservatories and associated products, had run up “unsustainable losses”.

Liquidators have also been appointed to associate company Guardian Soft Furnishings Ltd, which supplied hotels and commercial premises as well as to residential clients. Their closure resulted in 17 job losses.

Derek Forsyth, head of restructuring at Campbell Dallas, said: “Guardian Systems and Guardian Soft Furnishings were wellknown in their markets, and had good quality clients.

“It is unfortunate that a number of factors created significant problems that ultimately caused both businesses to be placed in liquidation.

“We are marketing assets for sale and would encourage interested parties to make contact with us as soon as possible.”

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said he would be supporting those affected, adding: “The loss of 44 jobs at Guardian Systems Ltd in Stirling is very unfortunate. I will be contacting the company to make sure as many employees as possible can find alternative employment and to make them aware of the Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).”

The news is a further blow to the local economy, with figures released last month showing that employment is on the rise in Stirling, even though the number of people out of work continues to fall at a national level. There were 930 people in Stirling claiming benefit in August compared with 875 last year.

Banking giants HSBC announced on September 30 that it is to leave its technology base at the Castle Business Park where 230 workers are based, with 26 people being retained at a smaller office in Stirling.

About 100 jobs will be relocated to Edinburgh, while 70 IT roles will move to India, China and Poland.