Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Welsh dealership group Ron Skinner and Sons, has spoken about the heartbreak of laying off staff for the first time in the company’s history following a catastrophic fire that ravaged its Tredegar site in August.
Despite the challenges, Skinner expressed hope as the family business embarks on a new chapter with the opening of a smaller but promising showroom. The business also operates showrooms in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire
The fire, which broke out on August 16, destroyed more than 350 vehicles and machinery, with losses estimated in the millions. Firefighters battled the blaze from the perimeter due to its intensity, leaving the entire site unrecoverable.
Interviewed by the BBC, Skinner described the emotional toll of informing his 88-year-old mother, Rachel Skinner, who co-founded the business with her late husband, Ron, in 1968. “She had a good cry,” he said, “but by that afternoon, she told us, ‘Boys, roll up your sleeves and get it put back up.’”
The family faced financial strain as they balanced bills, wages, and negotiations with insurers. While friends and family rallied to help stabilise the company, the devastation forced 18 redundancies — a first in the company’s history.
“It was heartbreaking,” Skinner admitted. “These are people I’ve worked alongside for years.”
Despite these setbacks, the business has opened a new Tredegar showroom, which, though smaller than its predecessor, represents a fresh start.
Sales manager Jonathan Robinson noted the overwhelming support from the community: “The response has been incredible. It’s heartening to see such encouragement after everything we’ve been through.”
Skinner remains optimistic about the company’s future: “This feels like going back 25 years to one of our earliest sites and starting fresh. It’s the beginning of a new era for Ron Skinner and Sons.”
