Engineering services firm Gilks Nantwich has ceased trading, leaving more than 100 people redundant.
The long-established mechanical and electrical engineering contractor, based on Beam Street, has been operating for more than 60 years.
Gilks, owned by the Ethikos Group near Chester, delivered mechanical and electrical engineering services across commercial, industrial, and public-sector projects.
Administrators confirmed today that the company had ceased trading and that 105 people were to lose their jobs.
One employee who spoke to Nantwich News said staff at its Nantwich base had not been paid and were owed five weeks’ wages. The company also had a base in North Wales.
And the employee said all staff were only told about the closure of the company over a Teams call.
“Some employees have been there for more than 25 years plus, and this is the way they treat them,” they added.
“We were just kicked out in the morning without any notification.
“The Nantwich office was going to close anyway, we were told, and we were going to move nearer to the M6 into some converted barns in Weston. They said it was due to a recruitment drive.
“Then on the Teams call all they said was they had tried to save the company but couldn’t and we all had to leave.
“There has been no HR involvement at all, the decision has left some employees completely devastated.”
The company is owned by Ethikos Group in Chester and run by directors Scott and Gail Davis.
According to Companies House, they appointed a third director Chris Rowlands last year, who was acting as managing director.
A spokesperson for Ethikos Group said: “FRP have been appointed administrators, they are dealing with all enquiries, and we will not be making any further comment.”
Martyn Rickels and Simon Farr, of specialist business advisory firm FRP, were appointed joint administrators of Gilks (Nantwich) Limited on Tuesday.
In a statement issued today, they confirmed that Gilks had faced “a period of financial pressures and wider sector challenges which impacted trading” and it had ceased trading with 105 people made redundant.
Martyn Rickels, restructuring advisory partner at FRP and Joint Administrator of Gilks (Nantwich) Limited, said: “The company operated within a sector that has faced increasing cost pressures and challenging market conditions in recent years.
“Regrettably, despite exploring all options, it was not possible to secure a viable future for the business.
“Our immediate priority is to support employees with their redundancy claims and to ensure an orderly wind down of the Company’s affairs.”
I’m one of the 105 that got made redundant. Considering that the main firm is called Ethikos, it’s a joke as they have no ethics. No duty of care to the staff, disgusting behaviour.
The salaried staff worked 5 weeks with no pay and the weekly staff worked 2 weeks with no pay.
To be told on the Monday “to continue to work as normal”. Then on the Wednesday lunchtime it’s all over thank you very much, see you goodbye.
Where were the big bosses?? Nowhere to be seen, gone into hiding, acting like they are untouchable.
This was a family business, all the staff here were like a family, you hurt one of us and you hurt all of us, we are all sticking together and supporting each other through this.
Ethikos – you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Very difficult time for you all, but keep strong. I was made redundant twice in my working life, first one by a trade union (and wasn’t treated very nice in that instance, poor communication, lack of empathy and decency), second for a Pharmaceutical company who managed the redundancies in an exceptional way and treated and respected people fairly during the difficult time.
Very sad, looks like directors hadn’t got a clue
I would like to recognise and thank all 104 colleagues affected. Each of you has shown dedication, professionalism and a strong work ethic. Together we have supported one another like a family, facing every challenge and change with resilience and commitment. You all have my deepest respect.
It is disappointing that such significant news was communicated with very limited notice and in a way that left many colleagues feeling unprepared and unsettled. Contrary to statements suggesting we had been informed earlier, many of us were only made aware on Wednesday. Personally, I was left in a car park trying to get enough signal just to join the Teams meeting, having received barely an hour’s notice. This experience reflects how difficult the situation was for those affected.
Despite this, I remain proud to have worked alongside such hardworking and committed colleagues
It’s travisty to me don’t like to see anyone losing their jobs… But remember this people with JOBS say you can get a job if you want to.. ?
If any decent employers out there need great local Admin & accounts staff please get in touch.
We all have extensive M&E experience. Using a multitude of software packages. Sage…both payroll and cloud.. Maximo CIS and DRC the list goes on.
We are all BPSS registered and have signed the OSA.
Shocking behaviour from owners that have done many past self proclaiming articles claiming to have ethics, and like to help People.
MD went missing for three weeks and all directors left the company slowly die.
They let 105 employees work for nothing for seven weeks before making all redundant two days before payday, this was done with the administrator, no attendance or input from the Directors.
Ive been employed there for over 20 years years and the way that we have all been treated is an absolute disgrace. The directors should all be ashamed of themselves along with anyone from the not very ethical Ethikos Group. Not one of them has stood up and apologised for what they’ve caused. Where are they all now?? Nowhere to be seen.