Jobs lost as assets of failed UK metal recycler are sold

The business and assets of UK metal recycler CF Booth have been bought by another operator in the region, Ron Hull Jnr, after going into administration in January.

Booth had around 168 employees when it failed, although the administrators Interpath say they hope operations will recommence at CF Booth’s sites in Rotherham ‘in due course’. However, two construction and demolition subsidiaries have been integrated into the new owners’ business, saving 29 jobs.

Trading issues

Founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth became one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. According to Interpath, the company had experienced significant trading difficulties, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices, as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and regulatory pressures. It was fined £1.2m (EUR 1.38 million) in 2024 after a worker was hit by a 32-tonne skip wagon.

Also based in Rotherham after being established in 1976, Ron Hull Group provides a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services. Its Ron Hull Jnr division is one of the largest scrap metal traders in the North of England, buying and selling all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Commitment

James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, says: ‘CF Booth is a big part of both the regional community and the UK and European metal recycling sector. The Ron Hull name is synonymous across South Yorkshire for scrap metal trading, so we are pleased to have concluded these transactions which not only preserve jobs for employees of Demex and Albion Jones but which we hope, in due course, will also see operations recommence at CF Booth’s sites in Rotherham.’

Nigel and Mark Hull, directors of Ron Hull Jr, say: ‘As a business which has operated in Rotherham for 50 years, we’re pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which reaffirms our commitment and support to the local area.
‘We are incredibly proud of what our father Ron Hull has achieved, and look forward to building upon this success as we welcome the Demex and Albion Jones team to the Ron Hull family.’