"Sad moment": Machinery from collapsed Yorkshire firm Warwick Ward to be auctioned off
Assets belonging to a recently-closed Yorkshire business are being sold off via a series of online auctions.
Warwick Ward (Machinery) went into administration earlier this month, with the majority of the firm’s 89 employees made redundant.
The company, which was founded in 1970, grew from a family business in Barnsley to become one of the UK’s leading stockists and suppliers of new and used earthmoving and waste-recycling equipment.
BPI has now been appointed to manage the disposal and sale of construction plant and equipment following the closure of Warwick Ward (Machinery) Ltd.
The asset disposal specialist will oversee the full end-to-end process, including the uplift of equipment, comprehensive marketing and promotion of assets, and their sale through a series of online auctions.
Assets available in the auctions will include earthmoving machinery, loading equipment, mini and standard excavators, dumpers, loading shovels, screeners and shredders from leading manufacturers such as Case, Terex and Keestrack.
Nathan Burnham, Associate Director at BPI, said: “The closure of Warwick Ward is undeniably a sad moment for the industry, especially given the company’s heritage and the scale of the job losses involved.
“Our priority is to manage the asset disposal process with sensitivity and professionalism, supporting all parties through what is a very challenging time. We expect the forthcoming sales to offer buyers a rare chance to secure the equipment at competitive value.”
Warwick Ward operated from headquarters in Barnsley, with additional depots on Bromsgrove and Harlow.
Administrators Interpath said earlier this month: “The company had faced significant financial difficulties in recent times, exacerbated by the general drift in capital spending witnessed across the building and construction and waste recycling sectors.
"In response, the company undertook an exercise to explore options for refinancing, sale and investment; however, when a solvent solution could not be found, the directors took steps to file for the appointment of administrators.”
James Lumb, managing director at Interpath, said: “With strong economic headwinds continuing to impact the construction and, groundworks market, specialist plant hire operators up and down the country are coming under increased financial pressure.
"It’s a tremendous shame that these challenges have proven to be so devastating for Warwick Ward, which had a long and proud heritage across South Yorkshire and beyond.”