Jobs lost as plant-hire group collapses into administration

More than 250 staff of a nationwide plant-hire group have been made redundant.

The move follows the appointment of Sam Woodward and Colin Dempster of EY’s Restructuring team as joint administrators of group companies Hewden Stuart, Hewden Properties, Interlift and the Rigging House.

A total of 251 jobs have been lost immediately, while 361 staff have been retained as the group continues to trade in administration.

In Scotland, administration has impacted on 50 workers across six locations – including 19 staff in Grangemouth and one in Dundee.

The Dundee depot is continuing with a staff of 10.

The firm also has Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness sites.

“Management has been attempting to operationally reshape the business to focus on higher-margin and quicker-returning assets and services,” Mr Woodward said.

“However, this has proven challenging, with the group’s capital structure and the recent trading environment.

“Management recently undertook a number of initiatives, including approaching new funders and potential acquirers to recapitalise the business, but unfortunately these efforts proved unsuccessful.”

Three divisions of the group – the Access & Power generation assets, the on-site plant business and the business and assets of Interlift Ltd – were sold on in a pre-pack deal to Ashtead Plant Hire Company – which trades as A-Plant – immediately following the administration appointment.

A total of 133 employees – including 27 in Scotland – are also transferring across.

Eighteen of those workers are based in Grangemouth.

Mr Woodward said: “We are assessing the optimum strategy for maximising value in the remainder of the group.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work with stakeholders to maintain service levels to customers who have assets on hire.”

EY said workers made redundnant are being offered appropriate advice and support in making claims from the Redundancy Payments Office for outstanding wages, as well as other payments.

A-Plant’s chief executive Sat Dhaiwal said: “This acquisition significantly enhances A-Plant’s offering in the industrial sector, where we have been keen to develop our capabilities for some time.”

He added: “We are pleased to be taking over a number of important on-site depots at major petrochemical facilities, and will ensure that a high level of service is maintained for all customers through the integration process.”

Picture: Kris Miller. Heavy machinery firm Hewden has fallen into administration, with the loss of more than 250 jobs.