60 jobs at risk as Arctic calls in adminsitrators

Dec 18 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

ONE of the region’s leading window companies has gone into administration putting the jobs of around 60 workers at risk.

Arctic Windows, of Newcastle, is the second replacement door and window company to call in the administrators so far this month, following the collapse of Complete Seal of Gateshead.

And these events mirror what happened this time last year when two of the region’s major replacement window companies – Pennine and Budget Windows – went under with the loss of 200 jobs.

One Arctic window worker told The Journal he was called to a staff meeting to be told the company was being put into administration.

He claimed he had not been paid for the three weeks prior to the administration. He said: “I turned down a job offer just a few weeks ago as the orders were still coming in. I believed we had a good future.

“It’s a terrible time for this to happen in the run-up to Christmas.”

The administration of Arctic which was based on the Newburn Industrial Estate, is being handled by Tenon, of Sunderland. A spokesman said: “The company was placed into administration yesterday (Tuesday). We are currently involved in detailed discussions with a number of interested parties.”

Earlier this month The Journal reported how conservatory and glazing company Complete Seal Windows (North East) of the Team Valley Trading Estate, has ceased trading and is being run by Tenon.

The Gateshead company, with headquarters on Tenth Avenue West, Team Valley Trading Estate, had been operating for 16 years and had employed 60 people.

This time last year Stockton-based Budget Windows and Tyneside- based Pennine Windows went into administration. Their administrators blamed the credit crunch and a downturn in the housing and home improvement markets for their collapse.

However both companies were saved by North East window entrepreneur Graham Auld, who has relaunched both brands.

Arctic Windows manufacturers, supplies and installs PVC-u windows and doors 42,000 sq ft factory unit, and has an annual turnover of £4.4m. It had invested £500,000 in new machinery over the last 18 months and has a production capacity of 650 products per week. It was started by managing director Eddie Traill.