How Does the Liquidation of 77-Year-Old Clarkebond Reflect the Changing Industry Landscape?

The sudden liquidation of Clarkebond (UK) Ltd in December, just three months after its acquisition by Independent Design House Group (IDHG), has shocked many in the engineering sector. A firm with a proud 77-year legacy, its abrupt collapse raises important questions about the changing dynamics in the industry, particularly concerning mergers and acquisitions, management practices, and the impact of new ownership on established businesses.

In this blog, we explore how the Clarkebond liquidation highlights broader trends in the engineering and consultancy industry and what it means for companies navigating an increasingly complex business environment.

Clarkebond was once a leading engineering consultancy, trusted by clients for nearly eight decades. However, the acquisition by IDHG, a specialist in temporary works, marked a significant shift. IDHG’s leadership saw the acquisition as an opportunity to expand its footprint, increase its workforce, and diversify its services. They were optimistic about the synergies between the two firms, with plans to combine Clarkebond’s multi-disciplined consultancy capabilities with IDHG’s existing portfolio.



The deal brought 90 Clarkebond employees into IDHG, increasing the workforce to 140 across several locations, including London, Bristol, and Poland. The ambition was clear: triple turnover to over £10 million and create a powerful engineering consultancy offering everything from conceptual design to on-site construction services.

However, things quickly began to unravel. Despite the promising vision, reports from insiders suggest that the integration of Clarkebond into IDHG didn’t go as smoothly as expected. Management practices clashed, and the company’s established culture was disrupted by changes many employees found difficult to adapt to. Key staff members began to leave, and redundancies soon followed, severely affecting their ability to deliver on contracts. Ultimately, Clarkebond entered liquidation in mid-December, leaving staff and stakeholders stunned.

The Clarkebond liquidation shows the challenges faced by businesses undergoing mergers and acquisitions in a fast-evolving industry. While acquisitions are often seen as a means to accelerate growth, they also come with inherent risks – especially when the integration process isn’t handled well.

Here are some key factors that contributed to the shifting landscape in which the Clarkebond liquidation occurred:


Liquidation of 77-Year-Old Clarkebond Reflect the Changing Industry Landscape

Location: United Kingdom

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