Thomson Cooper secures 43 jobs as Alloa recycling firm enters administration

Dunfermline-based accountants Thomson Cooper have been appointed after Alloa-based commercial and industrial (C&I) waste recycling and local authority kerbside collections firm ACE Recycling Group CIC was placed into administration with the loss of five jobs.

ACE, which operated across the Central Belt of Scotland as a social enterprise fully-owned by Alloa Community Enterprises Ltd, had grown to a staff of 57, generating an annual turnover in excess of £1.6 million.

Administrator Richard Gardiner of Thomson Cooper said it had been possible to secure a sale of the C&I part of the business to Ace Brightwaste Ltd, an unconnected party, for an undisclosed sum.

In addition, certain employees were transferred under TUPE to two separate local authorities which ensures continuity of service delivery.

Meanwhile, Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface was involved in providing continuity for the retail side of the business, which resulted in protection for further jobs.

Despite some fixed employment contracts coming to an end, overall this resulted in saving 43 jobs, but 5 staff working in other parts of the business were made redundant with immediate effect.

Thomson Cooper said the business, which was founded in 2008, had been trying to trade out of their difficulties for some time, but the lack of cash flow eventually proved insurmountable.

In a statement, the administrators said: “Revenue enhancement measures were attempted to grow the C&I business and despite securing project funding, the best efforts of the Directors achieved no real long-term improvement, leaving the company with no viable option other than to enter administration.”

Richard Gardiner of Thomson Cooper added: “The company explored every option to secure the long-term future of the business, however the challenging cash position was such that Administration was the only viable option. The Administration procedure presented an excellent opportunity to progress a sale with interested parties, within tight time constraints. We are delighted that our collective efforts have resulted in successfully protecting the majority of jobs at risk. I would like to thank all members of staff for their co-operation and commitment during this transitional period.”