A BARNSLEY-based company which employs around 200 people has entered administration - though it’s been emphasised that no redundancies have been made to date.
Euramax Solutions Ltd, based on Ashroyd’s Way in Platts Common, was founded in 1950 originally under the name Ellbee.
In 1993 it was acquired by OmniMax USA and rebranded as Euramax.
It was brought back under the control of a UK-based parent company, Modular Group Investments, (MGI) in 2021.
The firm, which manufacture uPVC windows and doors for holiday homes and home improvement markets, operates a mammoth 205,000sq ft facility in the town.
Euramax employed an average of 213 staff in 2022, up from 172 staff in 2021, according to its report for the year to June 30, 2022.
Over the same period, the firm reported a turnover of £26.5m, with pre-tax profits of £129,000.
The business was one of many organisations left out of pocket when Knaresborough-based housebuilder Ilke Homes entered liquidation last year.
A report shows that the Barnsley-based firm was owed a total of £619,000 by Ilke Homes - which is likely to have had a major impact.
It’s believed that, combined with a downturn in demand from the holiday homes market during the pandemic, were contributory factors.
In most cases when administrators are appointed, they make a number of immediate redundancies without prior warning or any consultation process.
However, it has been confirmed no redundancies have been made to date.
Chris Ratten and Gareth Harris of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed as joint administrators to Euramax Solutions Ltd on February 22.
The administrators are working to maximise the potential returns for creditors, while working with the management team and suppliers to support limited operations to fulfil outstanding customer orders.
Mr Ratten said: “The continuing downturn in the market for the company’s products plus a key customer entering administration has significantly impacted the viability of the business, and the directors had to take the difficult decision to appoint administrators.”
It comes just months after Wombwell-based firm Safestyle UK, who were also in the same industry, told around 300 of its staff to down tools as they filed for administration.
Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock was heavily involved with that case, and she is intending to do the same with Euramax employees.
She told the Chronicle: “The news that Euramax have gone into administration is concerning.
“This will no doubt be very worrying for over 200 employees whose jobs are in jeopardy.
“I have reached out to Euramax for an update on the situation, and will continue to monitor this closely.
“If you have been affected by the Euramax closure and there is anything I might be able to help with, please get in touch at stephanie.peacock.mp@parliament.uk.”
Coun David White, who represents the Rockingham ward, added that he understands new investment is being sought.
“Like most people, I was saddened to hear about Euramax having to appoint administrators,” he said.
“A major employer in Hoyland, my thoughts are with the staff and their families that may be affected if the administrators can't find a solution.
“I understand that one of their biggest customers went into administration, leaving them little choice.
“A company of this size would always find it hard to replace a major client quickly, or indeed be agile enough to change direction rapidly enough to respond.
“My thoughts are also with the directors who have had to make the very difficult decisions.
“I visited Euramax this week and it appears to be business as usual, with employees in place and products being manufactured and shipped out.
“New investment is being sought I understand.
“Credit to Barnsley Council, Enterprising Barnsley and JobCentre Plus for offering rapid response team help and onsite redundancy support if, sadly that is required.
“Like everyone, we hope that a solution can be found.”
