James Lumb and James Clark from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Warwick Ward (Machinery) Ltd on 3 December 2025.
Founded in 1970, Warwick Ward has grown over the years to become one of the largest stockists and suppliers of new and used earthmoving and waste recycling equipment in Europe. The Company operates from headquarters in Barnsley, with additional depots on Bromsgrove and Harlow.
The Company had faced significant financial difficulties in recent times, exacerbated by the general drift in capital spending witnessed across the building and construction and waste recycling sectors. In response, the Company undertook an exercise to explore options for refinancing, sale and investment; however, when a solvent solution could not be found, the directors took steps to file for the appointment of administrators.
Following the appointment of the administrators, operations across the Company ceased. As a result, and with regret, the majority of the Company’s 89 staff have been made redundant.
James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “With strong economic headwinds continuing to impact the construction and, groundworks market, specialist plant hire operators up and down 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.”
