Breezemount Takes Tom McBriar Ltd Out of Administration

Although there have been rumours virtually every plant dealer in the country, sadly the first to go into administration was Tom McBriar Ltd, distributor for Volvo compact plant, Pike Signals, Mikasa compaction equipment, JCB hydrapower, Neuson site dumpers and a dozen other prominent brands. The company is now up and running again having been bought out of administration by Harry McKee of Electrical & Hydraulics Ltd.

Based in Newtownbreda, Belfast, Tom McBriar had been in business for over 21 years having taken over in August 1987 the existing business of Norman Linter and company, original distributors for Stothert & Pitt, who were based on the same location.

Tom and wife Olive subsequently purchased the company in 1992 when the name was changed to Tom McBriar Ltd.  Although the company were prominent dealers with market leading ranges such as Volvo mini excavators, Compare compressors and Pike Signals, the downturn was looming through 2007 and started to really hit hard last year just after Balmoral Show. Although Tom had slimmed the company down like others to the bare minimum, sales were just not enough to continue operating despite an upturn in early 2009.

Advisers were called in but the company went into administration on March 25th. Michael Jennings of joint administrators BDO Stoy Harward said “Tom had been trying to find a buyer for the company for some time to keep it running as a going concern but when it became obvious that this was going to happen.  We were approached and from previous experience, were able to turn up several companies who were interested in putting in a bid for the trading assets.”

“From the final two, Breezemount’s bid was the successful one and they now own the existing assets, will be leasing the McBriar premises and have agreed to keep on the last three remaining staff.”

Right Time, Right Place

Harry McKee founded Breezemount over 30- years ago and the company is now run by Harry and his son Mark.  Harry spoke about taking on the McBriar Company and entering the construction sector at such a precarious time for plant dealers. “Due to year on year increases in turnover over the last three years, we were outgrowing our existing premises beside Tom and had been looking for some time at a possible larger place. This new arrangement suits us perfectly and now means we have control of everything in the perimeter fence at Cedarhurst and enough space for further expansion.

“I have been in discussion with both Tom and the administrators for some time and have had a good opportunity to look at the business and evaluate future growth potential, once we come out of the present trading conditions. Breezemount already deals with many of the majors in the construction industry, so I was well aware of the state of the market.

Having further rationalised the company, I am now in a position to know exactly what it will take to make the construction division profitable and I am certain that in its slimmed down form that will be more than possible.”
“TMcB Construction Equipment, as a division of Breezemount, will be retaining all of its prestige brands that Tom and Adrian have fought hard over the years to build up.

“Going forward, there are new franchises about to join the Breezemount portfolio and that will actually give Adrian as well as the Breezmount sales team, a much wider product range to offer to all our clients.”