UP to 200 jobs are expected to be lost after the world’s oldest conservatory manufacturer went into administration.

Amdega, which was established in 1874, called in shocked staff yesterday morning at its Darlington factory to tell them 188 people are being made redundant out of a workforce of 197.

Scores more workers were indirectly employed by the firm, mostly as sub-contractors installing the conservatories.

The GMB union said staff had been betrayed and described their treatment as a disgrace.

It is understood an 11th hour attempt to save the Faverdale firm failed.

Administrators KPMG said the company had closed and said there was no prospect of selling the business.

Staff owed unpaid wages and other payments will only receive the statutory minimum guaranteed by the law.

About 300 orders for conservatories – which can cost up to £150,000 – are unlikely to be fulfilled.

Meanwhile, an Amdega subcontractor, who asked not to be named, said he was owed up to £5,000, while another contractor was owed £48,000.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said she would do everything she could to help the workforce.

She said: “It is devastating for the town. I think it is disgraceful we found out on the day this decision was made, without any warning.

“I think it is disgraceful the way they have treated people.

It is a historic company, which has been in Darlington for more than 100 years and it has built its reputation on the back of its workforce here in the town. They deserve better.”

Amdega was taken over by private-equity group Endless last August. At the time, Endless said it was excited by the long-term prospects for the business.

The company, which had an annual turnover of between £15m and £20m, has representatives in 15 countries and exports to the Far East, Europe and the US.

Past clients include Sir Michael Caine, Barbra Streisand, rock stars Sting and Bryan Ferry and television presenter Ulrika Jonsson.

KPMG said Amdega was the victim of a severe downturn in the home retail sector, while sales of its products are thought to have been down by about a third year-on-year.

A member of the Amdega sales team said: “Sadly, you could see it coming. It was like a sinking boat and they just couldn’t bail out the water quickly enough.”

Another member of staff said: “They changed the way the frames were designed and tried to cut corners.

“They gave long guarantees, but the warranties have caught up with them due to the bad designs and in the end that outweighed the business that was coming in.”

Staff in Darlington were told the news at a meeting at 11am.

It is understood they had been paid as usual this month.

Stephen Thompkins, regional organiser with the GMB union, said it was a scandal that staff had lost their jobs with no consultation.

He said: “They have treated the union and the workers with contempt.

“There has been not a word to anyone about this. To treat a workforce in this way is just callous.

“It’s a betrayal of the many years of hard work by the workforce to build up a socalled internationally known brand name.”

Joint administrator Mark Firmin said: “Amdega was unable to sustain the ongoing weakness in demand it was experiencing.”

Mr Firmin said administrators would be writing to customers of Amdega, which had 300 orders on its books.

A spokeswoman for KPMG admitted they were “very unlikely”

to be supplied.

An Endless spokesman said: “We appointed a new senior management team shortly after our investment, who all worked tirelessly and, with the workforce, achieved some significant operational improvements.

“However, due to the significant legacy issues we inherited, together with extremely difficult trading conditions, sadly, a rescue of the company has not been possible.

“We would like to thank everyone for their efforts, commitment and professionalism over recent months.”

Have you been affected by the collapse of Amdega? Call the newsdesk on 01325-505054