Everwhite, Budget and Pennine in Receivership

The New Year has seen a number of window companies in financial trouble, including Everwhite Plastics, Pennine Windows (Home Improvements) and Budget Windows.

The BBC reports that fourteen workers have been made redundant with immediate effect at the South Wales plastics firm Everwhite which went into administration last Friday.

Staff at Everwhite Plastics in Aberdare were given the news at a meeting with administrators on Monday.

Seventy people remain employed at the plant, which makes UPVC building products, while a buyer is sought.

Co-administrators Menzies Corporate Restructuring said that around 20 parties had expressed an interest. A potential buyer from the United States is flying in on Tuesday.

The company hit cash-flow problems when sales dipped in the United States and the administrators were called in.

But Phil Duffy of Manchester-based Menzies Corporate Restructuring said they were confident the business could be sold as a going concern.

The firm was founded in 1994 by former roofer Ken Davies, who broke both legs in an accident and decided to set up buying and selling materials before expanding to making plastic fascia boards.

By the end of 1999 it was Aberdare's second largest employer and named as one of the UK's fastest growing businesses by the Sunday Times.

Meanwhile, Pennine Windows (Home Improvements) Ltd) called in the receivers last Thursday, with the loss of 126 jobs and Budget Windows went into administration with the loss of 80 jobs just before Christmas.

BDO Stoy Hayward have been appointed to handle Pennine's affairs and immediately made 126 of the company's 143 staff redundant. Those staff still in employment are based at Pennine's head office in Newcastle. Its five showrooms have all been closed.

On December 22nd, 81 staff lost their jobs when Stockton-based Budget Windows went into administration. Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers said: 'The business has suffered significant losses as a result of difficult trading conditions over the last few months and the credit crisis causing a squeeze on disposable income'.

Pennine Windows was launched in 1977 by its current chairman and managing director Brian Perry.

Budget Windows was formed in 1985 and fitted over 500,000 windows throughout the North-East in its 20-plus years. A spokeswoman for its administrators said talks were taking place with two interested parties over a possible sale.