Cleveland Bridge, a structural engineer founded 144 years ago, has fallen into administration, as administrators say the Covid-19 pandemic is to blame
FRP Advisory has been appointed as administrator and revealed that pandemic-related delays to infrastructure work had taken its toll on Cleveland Bridge.
FRP is now urgently seeking a buyer to protect as many jobs as possible.
Cleveland Bridge has 221 staff at its Darlington headquarters and satellite office in Newport and nearly 100 contracted workers on its books.
‘A flagbearer for cutting-edge engineering’
Martyn Pullin, partner at FRP, said: “Cleveland Bridge UK has been a flagbearer for cutting edge British engineering for more than a century.
“But no business is immune to the far-reaching impact of the pandemic, which has delayed major infrastructure projects around the world and put significant financial pressure on the teams behind them.
“CBUK is a business with a proud history and a formidable track record of engineering excellence. It also has great potential and should attract interest from the steel fabricants sector and other firms looking to break into the specialist bridge-building market. Unfortunately, without significant investment, the business will be wound up. That is why we’re calling on any interested parties to come forward.
“Regrettably, the business is unable to continue operating at its current capacity. We are urgently reviewing contracted work in progress to determine the shape of the business going forward.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “Cleveland Bridge is a business with an amazing heritage that has been responsible for some of the world’s most iconic structures, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Shard skyscraper in London. The skills of its workers are second to none and have led to the company having an enviable global reputation.
“The company has a full order book for the next 18-months, this coupled with the firm’s history, expertise and highly skilled workforce makes me optimistic that a buyer will come forward quickly for the business.”
Cleveland Bridge’s collapse has caused alarm in the North East, where it is a substantial employer.
The collapse of Cleveland Bridge is a cause of concern in the North East.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, said: “Cleveland Bridge is a business with an amazing heritage that has been responsible for some of the world’s most iconic structures, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Shard skyscraper in London.
“The skills of its workers are second to none and have led to the company having an enviable global reputation.
“The company has a full order book for the next 18-months, this coupled with the firm’s history, expertise and highly skilled workforce makes me optimistic that a buyer will come forward quickly for the business.”
