Production restarts today at troubled engineers Cleveland Bridge, administrators have announced.
Business advisory firm FRP was brought in to the Darlington company – known for its work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Victoria Falls Bridge and Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge, as well as London’s Shard and Wembley Stadium – at the end of last month.
The company, which dates back to 1877 and had 221 staff at its Darlington headquarters and an engineering site in Wales, as well as around 100 contractors in the North East, fell into difficulties when the pandemic triggered delays in construction projects in the 海角视频 and overseas.
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The Joint Administrators of Cleveland Bridge have been searching for a buyer for the business but at the end of last week 53 members of staff were made redundant. The staff were predominantly office based.
Now FRP has issued a joint statement, alongside Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Council and the GMB Union, highlighting a return to work for 100 employees from today, Monday August 9.
It said that the joint administrators have agreed terms to restart production at the business’ site in Darlington.
Martyn Pullin, partner at FRP and Joint Administrator of Cleveland Bridge 海角视频, said: “Restarting production is an important milestone for us as we look to secure the future of the business and supports our ongoing talks with interested parties.”
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After the 53 redundancies were announced last week, Mr Houchen, Mr Howell and Mr Gibson released a statement saying: “Since the company fell into administration last month our number one priority has been to save as many jobs as possible while a buyer for the company is found, and this remains the case.
“With production due to restart soon so that existing orders can be fulfilled, we remain optimistic that a buyer can be found for this world-leading company with a global reputation built on the expertise and skills of its workforce.
“We know the administrators are working to keep the key production staff in place with a view to complete orders in progress whilst negotiations with potential buyers continue.
“Any deal to save Cleveland Bridge must protect as many local jobs as possible, and we will continue to work with the Trade Unions, the administrators, government and potential buyers to safeguard local jobs.”