Jobs lost as firm shuts

A CONSTRUCTION firm with a 72-year history in Oldham has collapsed, with the loss of 31 jobs.

Dew Construction (Oldham) has gone into administration, citing cash flow difficulties, a stagnant construction market and no prospect of sustainable trading in the future as the reasons.

Its parent company, DCT Civil Engineering, bought the civil engineering and frameworks divisions of Dew Construction Ltd in 2006.

It confirmed the appointment of Sam Woodward and Tom Jack of Ernst & Young as administrators for Dew Construction (Oldham), but said the parent company was unaffected.

Dew Construction (Oldham) operated from offices in Oldham and Coventry, and ran as a separate trading entity from DCT, at first servicing a number of long-term contracts, including agreements with the Highways Agency and Coventry City Council.

John Hensman, business development director, said: “Competition in the market has increased and while Dew consistently outperformed its peers on quality, the economic climate, pressure on tender prices and very aggressive contract administration by some clients has meant that this is often not enough.”

DCT, which specialises in tunnelling and shaft construction, employs 101 people between its Oldham and West Lothian offices and will be unaffected by the administration.

The firm provides civil engineering services across a number of sectors, including water, waste, power, highways and development infrastructure.




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