2009 The Media announces closure
70 jobs go as Long Melford caravan firm closes
Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 17:31
STAFF at a caravan factory were left devastated this week after they were told the company had gone into administration, putting more than 70 jobs at risk.
Unsuspecting workers at Fleetwood Caravans were told the news by company receivers, just hours after arriving for work in Long Melford on Tuesday.
One shocked worker, who did not want to be named, said: "I think the way we have been treated is diabolical.
"I would have been there 40 years come September. Everybody was just very shocked when we were told.
"There are a lot of families that work here. I know of one family of four who worked here.
"I've never been out of work before. It's just absolutely terrible for everybody involved."
A former employee claimed production at the firm had been dropping just before he left about a year ago.
"The average bloke never gets to hear what goes on in the boardroom. It's going to have an knock-on effect for the local economy because nobody will have the money to spend in the pubs and restaurants, which will make things worse."
Long Melford county, district and parish councillor Richard Kemp said: "We are all totally devastated at the news.
"Our hearts go out to all those people and their families who are suffering as a result.
"It is a huge blow for Melford. This was our last major employer and it has come as a total shock."
Mr Kemp said he had been in touch with Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council who have a scheme to assist and advise people on claiming benefits after losing their jobs.
"Hopefully someone will come in and take over the enterprise so it's not the end – but I expect that won't be the case," he added.
Parish council chairman Iain Wotherspoon said he felt sorry for the people involved and if the parish council could provide any help it would. "It's devastating for the whole community," he said.
"Fleetwood is a major employer in the village and is therefore very important to Melford and the surrounding areas.
"I am saddened and shocked by this news and it brings home the current problems the entire country is facing at the moment."
Fleetwood, which produces more than 600 caravans a year, was taken over by Slovenian caravan and motor home business Adria in 2005.
No-one from the administrators or the company was available for comment at the factory.
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Fifty jobs have been lost and another 13 are under threat at a caravan manufacturing firm in Suffolk which has gone into administration.
Administrators KPMG said Fleetwood Caravans Limited in Hall Street, Long Melford, was "yet another victim of the current economic downturn".
KPMG said it was hoping to sell Fleetwood, which has an annual turnover of £7m, as a going concern.
Fleetwood sells its caravans through dealers across the UK and Ireland.
Administrator David Standish said: "Following careful consideration of all of the options available it became clear that Fleetwood Caravans Limited had no alterative other than to be placed into administration.
"Unfortunately the company has become yet another victim of the current economic downturn as discretionary spending, particularly on big-ticket items, is either deferred or cancelled.
"That said, the Fleetwood brand name is strong in the marketplace and synonymous with the first-class quality of the caravans produced at the Long Melford site.
"Accordingly, we are making every effort to sell the business as a going concern and would ask any interested parties to contact us."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7817458.stm
Jobs axed at caravan company
Thursday, January 8, 2009 9:28 AM
FIFTY workers at an East Anglian caravan manufacturer have been made redundant following its collapse into administration.
David Standish and Allan Graham from accountants KPMG, who were appointed joint administrators at Long Melford-based Fleetwood Caravans on Tuesday, confirmed last night that 50 people out of a total workforce of 63 had been made redundant.
However, Mr Standish said that efforts to salvage the company as a going concern were continuing.
“Following careful consideration of all of the options available it became clear that Fleetwood Caravans Ltd had no alterative other than to be placed into administration,” he said.
“We have regrettably had to make a substantial number of staff redundant. However we are working closely with Government agencies to ensure the employees' issues are dealt with as quickly and expediently as possible.”
Mr Standish added: “Unfortunately the company has become yet another victim of the current economic downturn as discretionary spending, particularly on big ticket items, is either deferred or cancelled.
“That said, the Fleetwood brand name is strong in the marketplace and synonymous with the first class quality of the caravans produced at the Long Melford site. Accordingly, we are making every effort to sell the business as a going concern and would ask any interested parties to contact us.”
Fleetwood has a turnover of £7 million and manufactures and sells caravans via a network of dealers across the UK and Ireland.
The announcement redundancies brings the total number of jobs lost in the Sudbury area this week to more than 120, with the town's branch of Woolworth's having closed with the loss of 43 jobs and Marks & Spencer having announced plans to close its Simply Food store, where 29 people are currently employed.
http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/jobs_axed_at_caravan_company_1_192457
Long Melford's Fleetwood Caravans seeks buyer
Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 12:35
Efforts to salvage Fleetwood Caravans were continuing this week following the shock collapse of the Long Melford-based company.
Administrators from accountants KPMG were called in after the announcement last week which saw 50 people out of the 63 strong workforce lose their jobs.
David Standish, a KPMG accountant, said efforts to save the company were on-going.
He said: "We are in the early stages of discussions with a number of interested parties. Unfortunately, however, it was unavoidable that further redundancies were made during the course of last week."
The closure of the Slovenian- owned luxury caravan company – which has a turnover of 7million a year – was blamed on the recession and falling orders.
Mr Standish said: "Following careful consideration of all the options available it became clear that Fleetwood Caravans Ltd had no alternative other than to be placed into administration.
"Unfortunately, the company has become yet another victim of the current economic downturn."
He said the Fleetwood brand was strong and synonymous with first-class quality.
"Accordingly, we are making every effort to sell the business as a going concern and would ask any interested parties to contact us," he added.
Fleetwood, which produces 600 caravans a year, was taken over by the Slovenian company Adria in 2005.
