SMS-Alderley in Great Yarmouth crashes into administration

Specialised Management Services (SMS)-Alderley, in Gorleston, went into administration last week and staff were told they had lost their jobs. 

Formed in 1999, the firm manufactured equipment and provided maintenance and installation services for the oil and gas industry, specialising in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems. 

SMS, headquartered at Starling House, off Lancelot Road, also has bases in Aberdeen and Bristol. 

SMS-Alderley, based at Starling House, off Lancelot Road, Gorleston (Image: Adam Barker)

SMS was acquired by its parent company Alderley PLC, a multi-disciplined engineering firm, in 2003. 

Both Alderley Plc and Alderley Systems have also entered administration. 

Alderley was founded in 1989 and has bases in the UK, India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. 

Joint administrators were called in on Wednesday, July 24.

Joint administrators were called in last week (Image: Adam Barker)

A statement on the SMS and Alderley websites reads: "The affairs, business and property of Alderley PLC (APLC), Alderley Systems Ltd (ASL) and Specialised Management Services Limited (SMS) are being managed by Alistair Wardell, Richard Lewis and Rob Parker appointed as joint administrators.

"The joint administrators act as agents of APLC, ASL and SMS and without personal liability. Alistair Wardell, Richard Lewis and Rob Parker are authorised by the IPA to act as insolvency practitioners."

SMS-Alderley, based at Starling House, off Lancelot Road, Gorleston 

Originally, SMS predominately operated as a service and support company for the oil and gas industry.

But within its first two years the company moved to larger premises, doubling its number of employees. 

This was facilitated by the acquisition of C&M Hydraulics - an already well-established supply company to the oil and gas sector, and local industries. 

The exact number of job losses is unknown but it is believed to be in the hundreds.

Both SMS and Alderley were contacted for comment. 

LETTER FROM ADMINISTRATORS

A letter sent from the joint administrators to SMS-Alderley staff and seen by this newspaper read: "I regret to have to inform you that the company is no longer in a position to make payments to you for services rendered by you.

"As a result you should regard your contract of employment with the company as terminated with immediate effect.

"You should complete Redundancy Payments Service form RP1 online at www.gov.uk/claim-redundancy. This enables you to claim up to certain limits under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 for arrears of pat, holiday pay, notice and redundancy pay."

The letter continued: "Your claim for pay in lieu of notice is effectively a claim for breach of contract as circumstances prevented you from working your notice period with the company.

"You should do everything you can to reduce any loss you may suffer. If you do not find a new job immediately, you should register as unemployed and claim any benefits you are entitled to."