Sheffield United: 561 jobs lost before Christmas as Blades' sponsor Arnold Laver plunges into administration
Administrators have made 561 people redundant, closed 13 branches and mothballed factories after being appointed at National Timber Group, owner of Arnold Laver.
The remainder of the firm, which employs 1,150 people across 47 sites in England and Scotland - including an Arnold Laver branch in Mosborough - has been put up for sale.
It followed a “difficult trading period.” according to Michael Magnay, of firm Alvarez & Marsal which has been appointed administrators.
And he said the circumstances for staff were difficult “particularly at this time of year.”
He added: “Regrettably, the company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies.
“As administrators, we have launched an accelerated sale process, and we encourage any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.
“We are encouraged by the level of interest so far and we are hopeful of finding a buyer for all or parts of the group.”
Arnold Laver, based on Bramall Lane, was founded in Sheffield in 1920 and has 15 branches including Mosborough.
It was Sheffield United's main sponsor from 1985 until 1995 and returned in 2023 as sponsor of the South Stand.
It was bought by British private equity firm Cairngorm Capital in 2018 to create The National Timber Group.
The group, which is also headquartered on Bramall Lane, includes Thornbridge, NYTimber and Rembrand Timber.
The 13 branches to close are: Cheltenham, Rainham, Peterborough, SToke, Alfreton, Northallerton, Dumbarton, Forfar, Newton Stewart, Edinburgh - Hawkhill, Anniesland and Stirling.