Job cuts as construction firm enters administration

A construction equipment supplier has gone into administration after 55 years in business.

Warwick Ward (Machinery) Ltd, which has its headquarters in Barnsley, ceased operations earlier this month following a period of "significant financial difficulties".

Interpath, which has been appointed as administrators to the company, said "with regret" the majority of the company's 89 staff members had been made redundant.

James Lumb, joint administrator, said it was a "tremendous shame" that economic pressures on plant hire operators had "proven to be so devastating for Warwick Ward, which had a long and proud heritage across South Yorkshire and beyond".

"Our immediate priority will be to support all those workers impacted by redundancy, while we also explore options for the company's assets," he said.

The company, which was founded in 1970, had a turnover of £45.3m in the year to 30 September 2024, an 11.6% drop from the year before.

It has depots in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and Harlow, Essex, and is one of Europe's biggest earthmoving and waste recycling equipment suppliers.

Mick Stowe, ward councillor for Hoyland Milton, said: "It's sad, in terms of the timing that it's at Christmas time, but at [any] time for any organisation.

"My thoughts straight away were that the employees ought to be looked after first, because I didn't want them to suffer."

Barnsley Council, in partnership with Citizens Advice, would be able to give advice to anyone with employment or welfare issues, he said.

Interpath said a drift in spending within the building and waste recycling sectors had put specialist plant hire operators like Warwick Ward under increasing financial pressure.

The company's four directors had explored options for refinancing, sale and investment but ultimately filed to appoint administrators, it said.

Christopher Sellars, whose address is listed on Companies House as Interpath's Leeds office, was appointed as a fifth director in February 2024.

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