100 jobs saved at Shropshire plant hire firm
More than 100 jobs have been saved at a Shropshire-based heavy machinery firm which went into administration earlier this week.
Machinery hire company Plantforce Rentals said it has saved the jobs of Hawk Plant (UK) Limited staff working at EDF’s Hinkley Point C nuclear plant.
Hawk Plant, which is based at Prees near Whitchurch, called in administrators EY following a cashflow squeeze, leading to the loss of 80 jobs and putting another 340 under threat.
South-west based Plantforce has agreed to step in and take on more than 100 plant operators and their machines on one of Europe’s largest construction sites.
In a statement the company, which already has 186 items of plant on site itself, said it has agreed to take on all site-based machinery, contracts and infrastructure from Hawk Plant.
Outcome
Plantforce Rentals managing director Claire Trott said: “This is a sad outcome for a company which has dominated the plant hire world for many years and a company we have very much respected.
“This is a strategic decision with our main priority being to secure the continued employment of the workforce on site and minimize the impact on the Hinkley Point C project.”
Sam Woodward, joint administrator, added: “I’m delighted to be able to complete this transaction and secure the ongoing employment for Hawk employees in such a short timeframe. I wish Plantforce every success as it continues to support the development of this major infrastructure project.”
In its last financial accounts – for the year ending December 31, 2017 – Hawk Plant blamed Wolverhampton-based Carillion’s collapse for delaying projects.
