Warwick Ward enter administration
Company collapses after sustained financial challenges and unsuccessful efforts to secure refinancing or investment
JAMES Lumb and James Clark of Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Warwick Ward (Machinery) Ltd on 3 December 2025.
Founded in 1970, Warwick Ward had grown into one of Europe’s largest stockists and suppliers of new and used earthmoving and waste-recycling equipment. Headquartered in Barnsley, with additional depots in Bromsgrove and Harlow, the company has long been a prominent name in the construction, recycling and plant machinery sectors.
However, according to the administrators, the business had faced mounting financial challenges in recent years, compounded by a marked slowdown in capital spending across construction, building materials and waste-recycling markets. The company undertook a process to examine options for refinancing, sale or new investment, but with no viable solvent solution emerging, the directors sought the appointment of administrators.
Following the appointment, operations across the company have ceased. Regrettably, most of the workforce – 89 employees – have been made redundant.
Commenting on the situation, James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: ‘With strong economic headwinds continuing to impact the construction and groundworks markets, specialist plant and equipment providers across the country are coming under increased financial pressure. It’s a tremendous shame that these challenges have proven to be so devastating for Warwick Ward, which had a long and proud heritage across South Yorkshire and beyond.’
He continued: ‘Our immediate priority will be to support all those workers impacted by redundancy, while we also explore options for the company’s assets.'
