In a significant development, Gwynedd Shipping Limited and Gwynedd Transport Limited, with a combined workforce of 142 employees across Wales, England, and Ireland, are facing the imminent loss of hundreds of jobs as the companies fall into administration.
The administration process, executed by Kroll, comes after nearly four decades of trading in the transport sector. The appointed administrators cited “financial challenges common in the transport and distribution sector” as the primary cause. Unfortunately, a majority of the workforce has already been made redundant.
This news adds to the economic challenges faced by Anglesey, which has witnessed substantial job losses in recent times, including the closure of 2 Sisters’ processing plant, resulting in 700 job losses last year. To stay updated on political developments in Wales, you can subscribe to our newsletter.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Kroll reported that on January 15, 2024, James Saunders and Michael Lennon were appointed as joint administrators for both companies. Despite their nearly 40-year history, the businesses couldn’t secure their future due to financial difficulties, resulting in the immediate redundancy of the majority of employees upon the appointment of administrators.
Efforts are underway to explore potential acquisitions of certain assets, contracts, and routes by engaging with interested parties. The administrators express hope that this may create opportunities for some former employees. Support is being extended to the affected workforce to facilitate the claiming of statutory entitlements.
Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie encourages any employee needing advice or support to reach out. The local JobCentre Plus and the DWP are available to assist those seeking new work or retraining opportunities. Anglesey’s designation as one of Wales’ two new freeports, though yet to be established, holds potential for economic rejuvenation in the region.