Trade jobs at risk after Scots building firm fails

A RUTHERGLEN-BASED construction company has fallen into administration, putting the livelihoods of 36 skilled trades people at risk.

MMPS (Scotland) has become the latest in a series of Scottish construction firms to fail, with administrators at Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery citing the effect of debtor disputes resulting in payments being withheld.

Increased competition and reduced margins in the sector have also led to cashflow problems, the administrators said. The move into administration comes after the company’s director, and majority shareholder, Billy Macewan explored all other viable options, the statement from Leonard Curtis added.

The failure of MMPS follows the collapse into administration of Crummock, T Graham & Son and Lambert Contracts in recent weeks, resulting in around 400 job losses.

Stuart Robb and Julien Irving of Leonard Curtis have been appointed joint administrators to the firm, which focused on property refurbishment.

Mr Robb said: “We are currently assessing the company’s financial position to see what parts, if any, of the business can be saved. Whilst the position is being assessed, none of the workforce have been made redundant as yet.

“We will continue to make contact with MMPS customers over the course of the next 48 hours to determine whether it is possible for any of the business to continue to trade.”