WT Burden still trading despite going into administration

BIRMINGHAM-founded construction products firm WT Burden has gone into administration but is continuing to operate as a going concern.

The firm, which has a finance office in Stoke-on-Trent and a depot in West Bromwich, is believed to have around 150 employees. It is headquartered in Bristol.

Philip Duffy, Steve Clancy and David Whitehouse of financial advisory and investment banking firm Duff & Phelps have been appointed as administrators to WTB Trading Limited – formerly Burdens Ltd. WTB Trading Ltd is the main trading arm of the Burdens Group. The administrators were also appointed over WTB Group Ltd.

The administrators are currently seeking a buyer for all, or part, of the business.

Duffy said: “Due to the established name of Burdens and quality of the business we have already been able to sell three of the branches within the group and have had interest expressed in the remaining 13.

“We will continue to trade the company as a going concern whilst we continue discussions with those parties interested in acquiring some, or all of the remaining depots.”

Burdens is a well-known name in the utilities, infrastructure and construction sectors, supplying a diverse range of civil engineering products and services. 

The company had a turnover exceeding £250m with over 750 employees based out of 38 branches throughout the UK prior to the sale of 22 branches to Leamington Spa-based building and plumbing merchant chain Wolseley in October.

Wolseley acquired the property, stock and vehicle assets of 22 sites from Burdens for £30m.

The deal saw 600 Burdens staff transfer to Wolseley which also gained exclusive use of the Burdens name in the UK.

The 22 branches continue to trade under the Burdens name.

Burdens was founded in Birmingham by Wilfred Thomas Burden in 1929.