Demolition Dead Pool - More than a coincidence

One demolition company collapse is sad. Two is tragic. But four in such quick succession surely points to a deeper issue.

The news that Wooldridge Contractors and Blucon Demolition have fallen into administration is, of course, terrible news for anyone working within the company and to its supply chain, both of whom will likely be left licking their respective financial wounds.

But is the demise of these two companies indicative of a wider issue impacting upon the UK demolition industry? 

The sector has now lost four of its number in just three months.   And we are not talking small or inexperienced companies here.   Three of the firms - McCormack Demolition, Squibb Group and now Wooldridge - were all members of the industry’s elitist National Federation of Demolition Contractors.  Squibb Group had been plying its trade for 75 years when it collapsed.   With a full half century under its belt, Wooldridge was similarly experienced and battle-hardened.   Those three firms made it through the longest and deepest recession in living memory back in 2008/2009.  And yet they have all now succumbed in rapid succession.

Taken in isolation, it would be easy to suggest that perhaps an individual firm had taken its eye off the ball; that its directors were playing fast and loose with the company cash; or that there had been some form of financial mismanagement.   But four in such quick succession suggests that the cause of their demise lies beyond the companies themselves and is, perhaps, indicative of a wider industry malaise.