The Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine sent shockwaves across Scotland’s construction and glazing industry. For nearly nine decades, Andrew Wright Windows stood as a trusted name in manufacturing high-quality windows, doors, and glazing products. Its abrupt shutdown in 2025 did not just mark the fall of a long-standing business—it left dozens of workers unemployed, customers uncertain about lost deposits, and industry experts questioning the stability of the UK’s wider construction sector.
This article explores the full story behind the Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine, including the company’s history, what led to its collapse, the human and financial impact, and what this closure means for the future of the fenestration industry in Scotland.
A Brief History of Andrew Wright Windows
Andrew Wright Windows was founded in 1937, making it one of Scotland’s longest-running window and glazing manufacturers. Based in Irvine, North Ayrshire, the company grew steadily through post-war reconstruction and the housing booms of the late 20th century. Over decades, it built a reputation for supplying:
- Double and triple-glazed windows
- uPVC and aluminum frames
- Composite and security doors
- Glass units for domestic and commercial projects
- Conservatories and roofline products
The company worked extensively with local authorities, housing associations, contractors, and private homeowners. Many large-scale regeneration and social housing projects across western Scotland included Andrew Wright products.
For generations of workers in Irvine, the company represented not just employment but stability, pride, and skilled trade heritage.
Ownership Changes and the Beginning of Trouble
For much of its history, Andrew Wright Windows operated as a family-style business with deep community roots. However, in August 2023, the business underwent a major ownership change when it was acquired by new directors.
At the time, the acquisition was positioned as a move to modernize operations and expand commercial reach. However, behind the scenes, the business was already facing:
- Rising raw material costs
- Energy price spikes
- Supply chain instability
- Increased wage pressure
- Weakening demand due to economic uncertainty
The new owners inherited a company operating in one of the most volatile periods the UK construction industry had faced in decades.
The UK Construction Slowdown and Its Impact
The Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine did not happen in isolation. It came during a broader downturn that hit the UK construction industry between 2023 and 2025.
Several major pressures collided:
1. Housing Market Decline
Higher interest rates reduced mortgage affordability. As a result, fewer homeowners invested in renovations or window replacements.
2. Reduced Government Spending
Social housing budgets tightened, and many large public sector upgrade contracts were delayed or canceled.
3. Raw Material Inflation
The cost of glass, aluminum, PVC, and transportation surged after Brexit-related supply chain shifts and post-pandemic inflation.
4. Rising Energy Prices
Manufacturing glass and window units is extremely energy-intensive. Energy cost inflation drastically reduced operating margins.
These pressures reportedly caused Andrew Wright’s turnover to drop by over 30% within a year, a devastating fall for a manufacturing-heavy business with high fixed costs.
The Final Days: Andrew Wright Windows Closure Irvine
In August 2025, staff were called into what many believed was a routine meeting at the Irvine site. Instead, they were informed that Andrew Wright Windows had ceased trading effective immediately.
Key points from the collapse include:
- More than 80 employees lost their jobs instantly
- No advance redundancy consultations were conducted
- Production halted without warning
- Ongoing customer orders were suspended
- Outstanding supplier invoices remained unpaid
The company entered provisional liquidation, with insolvency professionals appointed to manage claims from employees, creditors, and customers.
The speed and suddenness of the shutdown left workers and clients completely blindsided.
The Human Cost: Workers Left Without Warning
Perhaps the most devastating consequence of the Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine was its impact on employees. Many workers had spent 10, 20, even 30 years with the company. Families depended on the regular wages provided by the factory.
Former workers reported:
- Being informed of their redundancy with no notice
- Uncertainty about final wage payments
- Delays in redundancy compensation
- Confusion regarding pension contributions
- Loss of healthcare and benefits tied to employment
Several former employees publicly described the closure as “brutal” and “handled without dignity.”
In the weeks following the closure, groups of workers began preparing legal claims for unfair dismissal, arguing that the company failed to meet statutory redundancy consultation requirements.
Customers and Lost Deposits
The Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine also affected hundreds of customers across Scotland.
Many homeowners had:
- Paid deposits for windows and doors
- Been waiting weeks or months for installation
- Signed contracts shortly before the collapse
Some customers reported placing orders just days before the company shut down, unaware of the financial difficulties.
With the company in liquidation:
- Deposits became unsecured claims
- Many customers were unlikely to recover their full payments
- Partially completed installations were abandoned
- Warranty guarantees became void
This created widespread anger and financial stress, particularly for households that had already removed old windows in preparation for fitting.
Supplier and Contractor Fallout
The ripple effect extended far beyond employees and customers. Andrew Wright Windows worked with dozens of:
- Glass manufacturers
- Hardware suppliers
- Transport companies
- Installation subcontractors
- Maintenance contractors
When the company collapsed:
- Suppliers were left with unpaid invoices
- Installers lost ongoing work
- Small regional businesses suffered sudden cashflow gaps
For some smaller subcontractors, unpaid balances from Andrew Wright formed a critical part of their monthly income, putting their own survival at risk.
Liquidation and Legal Proceedings
Following the Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine, joint liquidators were appointed to manage the insolvency process.
Their responsibilities include:
- Securing company assets
- Selling machinery and remaining stock
- Investigating financial records
- Handling employee redundancy claims
- Managing creditor distributions
Employees were instructed to apply for compensation through the UK government redundancy payment service, which covers:
- Statutory redundancy pay
- Up to 8 weeks of unpaid wages
- Accrued holiday pay
However, claims can take months to process, adding further financial pressure to already displaced workers.
Industry Reaction and Warnings
The glazing and fenestration industry reacted to the Andrew Wright closure with shock but not complete surprise. Over the last two years, several well-known UK construction suppliers have either:
- Entered administration
- Downsized significantly
- Merged with competitors
- Exited the market altogether
Industry analysts warned that Andrew Wright’s collapse highlights:
- The vulnerability of manufacturing-heavy businesses
- The dangers of thin operating margins
- Overexposure to public sector projects
- The inability to adapt quickly to demand fluctuations
Many commentators described the closure as a “wake-up call” for the entire construction supply chain.
Could the Closure Have Been Prevented?
While no single factor caused the Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine, a combination of structural weaknesses played a role:
- Heavy reliance on large-scale contracts
- High energy dependency
- Rising production overhead
- Reduced homeowner spending
- Slow adaptation to low-cost imports
Some former employees and industry observers have questioned whether the 2023 ownership change weakened internal decision-making or delayed necessary restructuring.
However, insolvency experts note that even well-run businesses can collapse quickly under sustained macroeconomic pressure.
The Impact on Irvine and the Local Economy
For the town of Irvine, Andrew Wright Windows was not just a factory—it was an economic anchor.
The closure resulted in:
- Increased local unemployment
- Reduced spending in surrounding businesses
- Loss of apprentice training programs
- Decline in industrial output
Local cafes, shops, and service providers that depended on daily foot traffic from employees reported immediate downturns after the closure.
Community leaders described the loss as “a devastating blow to Irvine’s industrial identity.”
What Happens to the Andrew Wright Name?
Following liquidation, several possibilities exist for the future of the Andrew Wright brand:
- Brand Acquisition – Another manufacturer could purchase the name and restart limited operations.
- Asset Sale Only – Machinery and stock sold without brand revival.
- Permanent Closure – The brand disappears entirely from the market.
As of now, there has been no confirmed buyer for the Andrew Wright name or factory operations.
What the Andrew Wright Closure Means for the UK Market
The Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine signals several broader trends:
- The era of long-standing regional manufacturers is under severe strain
- Construction sector volatility is becoming the new normal
- Smaller manufacturers must consolidate or automate to survive
- Customer trust is fragile when collapses occur without warning
For homeowners, it reinforces the importance of:
- Checking financial stability before placing large deposits
- Using deposit protection schemes
- Paying via credit cards for legal protection
For workers, it highlights the risks even in traditionally “stable” manufacturing trades.
A Company That Shaped Generations
For nearly 90 years, Andrew Wright Windows provided secure livelihoods, trained apprentices, supported housing projects, and contributed to Scotland’s built environment. Its windows still line thousands of homes, schools, and commercial buildings.
The Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine is not just a business story—it is the loss of a local institution that shaped families, neighborhoods, and trades for nearly a century.
Final Thoughts
The closure of Andrew Wright Windows stands as one of the most significant industrial shutdowns in Irvine’s modern history. It reflects the extreme vulnerability of manufacturing businesses during times of economic instability and serves as a warning to the wider construction industry.
While liquidators will resolve the financial remains of the business, the deeper human cost—lost careers, broken trust, and community damage—will take far longer to heal.
This in-depth report on the Andrew Wright Windows closure in Irvine is published on Newtly, where we continue to document major industry shifts, corporate collapses, and their real-world consequences.
