Clayton Glass brings in Nick Dutton as strategic partner after administration

Clayton Glass has brought in former Brisant Secure executive Nick Dutton as a strategic partner as the manufacturer restructures its operations following a rescue deal that secured 283 jobs but resulted in 290 redundancies.

Dutton, who previously led the development of Brisant Secure’s Ultion brand, will work alongside Clayton founder Ryan Green and Clayton Glass Group director Clayton Glass, with a focus on product innovation, commercial development and growth. He will also take a shareholding in the business.

The move comes after James Lumb and Howard Smith of Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Clayton Glass Ltd on 18 September.

Immediately after their appointment, the business and certain assets were sold to Clayton Glass Group Limited, an entity backed by the former management team.

The transaction included Clayton’s sites in Nottingham, Swindon, Canterbury and Dewsbury and secured the transfer of 283 employees.

However, sites in County Durham, North Lanarkshire and Blackburn are being closed, resulting in the redundancy of 290 staff.

Clayton, founded in 1956, had employed 573 people across seven UK sites and specialises in the manufacture and supply of insulated glass units to window, conservatory, door and glazing contractors.

Interpath said the company had faced mounting financial pressures in recent months, including high energy and raw material costs and an extended period of weak demand, which affected its ability to maintain margins.

Despite attempts to find a solvent rescue supported by external capital, administrators said no viable solution could be found for the whole business.

The restructured company now plans to concentrate manufacturing across strategically located sites, with management saying the changes will improve efficiency and capacity utilisation while maintaining a nationwide service.

Ryan Green, founder of Clayton Glass, said: “The glass market has changed and Clayton needs to continue to change with it. That means having the right capacity, in the right places, producing the right products for the market we’re actually serving today.”

Clayton said customers would continue to receive sealed glass units through its multi-site manufacturing and distribution network, with no interruption to existing product warranties.

Customer service and continuity of supply would remain priorities during the transition, the company added.

Its future product strategy will include Triple28, a 28mm triple-glazed unit developed to make switching from double to triple glazing easier for fabricators and installers.

James Lumb, Interpath managing director and joint administrator, said the sale had given Clayton “a platform to continue” and preserved a significant number of jobs.

He added that businesses supplying the housing market were facing difficult conditions, with high fixed costs and subdued demand making trading increasingly challenging.