8th Sep 2021

Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) received confirmation today that CS Wind UK Ltd have been placed into administration. CS Wind UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the CS Wind global wind turbine tower manufacturing group, has been mothballed since February 2020 with the devastating loss of 94 full time positions and many more in the supply chain. Despite the UK claiming to have the largest offshore wind market in the world CS Wind UK Ltd was not able to secure any tower manufacturing orders for their UK site.

In 2016, CS Wind purchased the facility and with partners invested in its upgrade capability from manufacturing onshore to offshore wind turbine tower sections which it successfully did from 2018 to late 2019 delivering towers from the upgraded Campbeltown Harbour deep water quay. The Factory complex located at MACC Business Park, comprises over 13,000 square meters of industrial manufacturing space located within an 18hectare site adjacent to Campbeltown airport.

Cameron McNair, Chairman of MACC commented, “The confirmation that CS Wind UK Ltd have not been able to secure contracts for any of the UK’s many offshore projects is very disappointing and demonstrates that further policy support is needed for UK manufacturing operations. The Kintyre community has worked hand in hand the operators of the factory well over the years and we look forward to working with the administrators, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government to find a viable and prosperous future for this very capable site.”

CS Wind UK Ltd directors have decided to place the business into administration and appoint Michelle Elliot and Tom MacLennan of FRP Advisory as administrators. The joint administrators will now market the assets for sale, including various plant and machinery and a residential property in the heart of Campbeltown that had been used by management for accommodation.

Joint administrator Michelle Elliot said: “CS Wind (UK) and its predecessor businesses have a long tradition of designing, manufacturing, and supplying high quality wind tower solutions to clients across the UK and Europe. The wind tower industry has hence had a significant presence in Argyll for many years, but market conditions have unfortunately resulted in the business being unsustainable and with no immediate prospect of recovery.”

Notes
The Factory complex located at MACC Business Park, comprises over 13,000 square meters of industrial manufacturing space located within an 18hectare site. The Complex benefits from a robust and flexible high voltage power supply, potable and raw water supplies, high speed broadband and numerous gantry cranes from 20-80T capacity.

The adjacent MACC Business Park facility comprises Campbeltown airport, several hectares of reinforced concrete hardstanding as well as accommodation and workshop spaces. It is run by MACC Developments Ltd on behalf of the owners, Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC).