A steelwork and cladding firm with bases in northern England and Scotland has collapsed, leading to the loss of more than 40 jobs.

Border Steelwork Structures Ltd, which has its head office in Carlisle and a fabrication site in Dumfriesshire, appointed administrators following a “dramatic downturn” in takings.

The firm was incorporated in October 1978 and primarily designed, fabricated and erected steel-framed buildings.

It had a turnover of about £9m, according to administrators FRP Advisory, and employed 43 people, all of whom have been made redundant.

The business and its assets, which include plant, machinery and a workshop in Annan, Scotland, are being marketed for sale.

Joint administrator Michelle Elliot said: “Border Steelwork Structures is a long-established and highly regarded supplier of steel-framed buildings for a wide range of sectors and industries.

“Unfortunately, the business has been severely affected by a dramatic downturn in contracts and income, and despite the best efforts of the directors to effect a turnaround, administration was the only option.”

Projects undertaken by the firm include Leeds Valley Park for Caddick Developments; GSK’s M2 Facility in Ware; and a training centre for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at Sellafield.

More than 61,000 construction firms were in significant financial distress in the three months to the end of June this year, according to insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor.

The biggest among them, Buckingham Group, a £665m-turnover firm that had Liverpool FC’s new Anfield Road Stand among its uncompleted projects, earlier this month filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.