A construction industry body has said it is unclear why SGB Hire has suddenly closed across the Channel Islands.
It was announced earlier this week that the business was shutting both its Guernsey and Jersey bases with 25 job losses expected across the islands.
The Guernsey Building Trades Employers’ Association said its primary concern is for those employees.
“GBTEA were saddened to hear the announcement of the sudden closure of SGB in the Channel Islands,” a spokesperson told Express. “Our primary concern is for the employees in Guernsey and Jersey who will no doubt be extremely worried and upset. SGB has existed locally in various forms for decades and a lot of the team there served the company for many years.”
The GBTEA said it doesn’t know why the decision to close SGB Hire has been made, but it will have a “detrimental effect” on the availability of some equipment on-island.
Other firms are available to fill the gap left by SGB Hire and the spokesperson said the GBTEA hopes there will be only a short period of adjustment for customers.
“We believe the decision to cease trading was made by the owners BrandSafway but we have no knowledge of the rationale for the decision.
“In terms of the effect on the local industry, in the short term SGB Hire’s closure will inevitably have a detrimental effect on the availability of some equipment. We ask any client whose contractors were relying on equipment hired from SGB to have forbearance whilst these contractors source alternatives. The loss of SGB’s workshop will also cause issues for servicing and repairs.
“The local industry remains well served by other equipment hire companies, including GBTEA member companies Project Hire and GAP (formerly 4Hire). There will be a period of adjustment, but we are confident these companies will respond as quickly as possible to address industry’s needs.”
SGB Hire is based at the Pitronnerie Road Industrial estate. The company is believed to have had a presence in Guernsey for around five decades.
