£30m construction firm calls in administrators

A Wolverhampton construction firm that can trace its roots back to 1899 has ceased trading, after calling administrators in.

Business advisory firm Leonard Curtis has the job of winding down AM Griffiths after the company told workers and suppliers that it was closing for the last time last Friday (August 6).

AM Griffiths, which was also know as AMG, had a long history. The firm is perhaps best known for building the former headquarters of collapsed construction firm Carillion in Wolverhampton.

In its latest available accounts, to the end of March 2020, AM Griffiths said it was turning over around £30m a year and reported that it was in “a good position” when the Covid pandemic broke that month. The firm made a profit of £305,188 during the 12-month period and has £1.7m in the bank.

At the time, the company employed 60 people and owed trade creditors some £4.6m.

According to the administrators, the Company had encountered continuous, ongoing difficulties within the construction industry, as a result of the ongoing pandemic and issues associated with Brexit.

Current volatility in availability and prices of construction materials made the completion of existing contracts on site and any new contracts in the near future unprofitable and therefore unviable.

Ongoing COVID risks have also further complicated matters, and caused delays in completion of projects.

On appointment, 44 employees were made redundant, and the joint administrators are assisting former staff with claiming their entitlements.