Deal saves 13 jobs at Yorkshire civil and structural engineering consultancy

A forty year old civil and structural engineering practice which specialises in multi-storey car park design has been sold for an undisclosed sum by joint administrators, Julian Pitts and David Wilson of Begbies Traynor, securing the future of its 13 employees.

From its Harrogate base, Hill Cannon has established a strong reputation serving property agents, developers, housing associations, local authorities and private clients. It advises on all aspects of civil and structural engineering, parking consultancy, refurbishment, planned maintenance and project management.

With the combined experience of over 1,000 car park design commissions, the consultancy is one of Europe’s leading car park consultants and designers. Its projects include Clarence Dock and Criterion Place in Leeds, Gatwick Airport and Manchester Royal Infirmary. It has also undertaken projects as far afield as Russia, Romania, Dubai, Bulgaria, Tahiti and India and has current projects in Kuwait and Azerbaijan.

Following cash flow difficulties, the company was placed in administration yesterday (8 September 2011) and immediately sold to Hill Cannon LLP, a new partnership formed by some of the former directors. The joint administrators were advised by Helen Bates of Leeds law firm Clarion.

Joint administrator David Wilson said: “Hill Cannon enjoys an excellent reputation within the industry and has a viable future. The new management is already putting measures in place to reduce overheads which will help it to remain profitable going forward.

“The swift completion of the sale has meant minimum disruption to the business, staff and clients, enabling the partnership to complete all ongoing projects, so preserving the value of the business for the benefit of creditors, and also enabling it to take advantage of some exciting new projects in the UK and the Middle East.”