Coventry window manufacturing firm goes bust with loss of around 30 jobs

[dutchman]

The offices of Emperor Windows in Hillfields are closed, with creditors being asked to deal with an insolvency firm



Coventry window company Emperor Windows has closed down with creditors set to decide later this week whether the company will go into liquidation.

The firm recently stopped trading, its employees were laid off and its premises in Aintree Close, Hillfields, closed its doors.

The company’s closure and its relationship to creditors is now being handled by Seneca Insolvency Practitioners based in Matlock, Derbyshire.

A notice was placed on the door of the business with contact details for Seneca.

Emperor’s former Coventry headquarters remains deserted with a number of vans in a locked compound and two vans parked on the street outside.

The company, which was launched in 2004 by mother and son Julie and Kelly Ord, also had an operation in Cheltenham, which has also closed.

It was involved in both the manufacture and installation of windows, doors and conservatories, and is believed to have had more than 30 employees.

A spokesman for Seneca Insolvency Practitioners said: “We have been instructed to hold a meeting of creditors on Thursday July 21.

“There will be a report presented to creditors, at which point they will be voting whether to put the company into liquidation.”

The spokesman said they were unable to confirm how many jobs had been lost as a result of Emperor Windows’ closure and added: “We are still waiting for a bit of information from the directors.”

Offering advice to creditors, including customers, Coventry City Council trading standards said: “All unsecured creditors such as customers and suppliers will need to register a claim with the insolvency practitioner. When you register, you’ll be added to the list of creditors.

“Unfortunately, often customers may receive nothing, or very little, depending on how much money can be salvaged by the accountants as secured creditors will be paid first.”

As recently as last year, the company ran a community windows project which involved giving a 92-year-old war veteran a free set of windows.

The company also offered discounts to other veterans and those serving in the military.

As of this week the company’s website was still up and running, though its telephone lines were no longer operational.

[dutchman]

Banned: Window company boss who took £85,000 from customers who got nothing in return



A Coventry window company boss has been banned from being a director after taking more than £80,000 in deposits from customers who got nothing in return.

Kelly Ord, who was director of Emperor Windows, which traded from Aintree Close, in Foleshill, took deposits from 78 customers totaling £85,552 between January 2016 and July 1, 2016, for goods and services it then failed to supply.

The company closed in July with the loss of around 30 jobs.

Mr Ord has now signed a ‘disqualification undertaking’ after an Insolvency Service investigation.

Mr Ord had sought advice regarding debts owed by Emperor Windows by February 2016, but still went on to take deposits.

He has been banned from being a director for seven years.

Kevin Read, official receiver at the Insolvency Service, said: “Mr Ord caused Emperor Windows Limited to take deposits from customers when the company was insolvent and without a reasonable expectation that services would be provided.

“The company failed to provide services to these customers and losses were incurred as a result.

“Company directors should note from this enforcement result that actions of this kind will lead to serious censure.

“This disqualification is a reminder to others tempted to do the same that the Insolvency Service will rigorously pursue enforcement action and seek to remove from them the privilege of trading with limited liability to protect the public for a lengthy period.”

As recently as 2015, Emperor Windows ran a community windows project which involved giving a 92-year-old war veteran a free set of windows.

The company also offered discounts to other veterans and those serving in the military.

The company, which was launched in 2004, also had an operation in Cheltenham.

The Telegraph has tried to contact Mr Ord for a comment.

Banning orders are meaningless, there's nothing to stop him from starting a new company and sticking it in someone else's name.

[rebbonk]

Surely he ought be facing the courts for trading whilst insolvent?