Over 500 people have lost their jobs as UK Windows and Doors has been placed into administration. Administrators said that the jobs will be lost at sites in Williamstown, Taff’s Well, Llwynypia, and Treorchy, all of which are located in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Additionally, 67 jobs at sites in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, and Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, will also be lost. UK Windows and Doors’ chief executive said that a decline in sales had made the business financially unsustainable.
News of the job losses was met with “extreme concern” by the Welsh government. One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said that staff were informed over a conference call. The worker said, “First someone from management came on and said they had gone into administration and were making 563 people redundant.” The worker added that they had been told to go to work as usual and then sent home every day for the past week, with no idea what was happening.
Administrators Teneo said that the company’s “sevenday” business had been sold off, saving 91 jobs. The administrators also said that 73 employees would be kept on during the administration process. The company had lost a major customer in the previous year.
In a joint statement, Sir Chris Bryant, MS Buffy Williams, and Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said that they were shocked. They added that they will attempt to locate possible buyers for the facilities to save as many jobs as possible. They concluded by saying that alternative means of support are available for former employees of the company.
The administrators stated that “recent economic uncertainty due to high consumer price inflation, rising interest costs, and the associated reduction in consumer confidence has led to house builders slowing down their build programmes and retail window companies experiencing a fall in demand.” Combined with the loss of a major customer, this has led to UK Windows and Doors being financially unsustainable
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