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Econofreight gets heavier

10th December 1998
Page 12
Page 12, 10th December 1998 — Econofreight gets heavier
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by Guy Sheppard • Econofreight has sold most of its smaller tractive units to a neighbouring heavy haulage operator in the North-East.

The deal with Middlesbrough-based GE Curtis involves seven vehicles and the transfer of at least two drivers.

Curtis sales manager Mark Curtis explains that Econofreight had proposed the deal because it wanted to concentrate on the heavier end of the market. "It came at the right time for us because we needed smaller vehicles in our fleet," he adds. "It means we can do general haulage if need be, not just heavy haulage. We are starting up a company in Tunisia and we will be shipping a third of our equipment there by the spring."

Curtis has 10 trucks, most with a capacity of at least 150 tonnes. The Econofreight vehicles range from 80 and 150 tonnes; they are believed to have cost up to £200,000.

Curtis, who has a minority shareholding in the business with his twin brother Mark, says the deal means that Stockton-on-Teesbased Econofreight would pass on any surplus lighter business to his company.

Curtis already has an operation in Hong Kong and used to have one in Egypt. Its UK fleet is being transferred from Scunthorpe to Middlesbrough next year to share facilities with heavy crane hire specialist Sarens Sparrow.

Curtis managing director Bev Bentley says: "A few months ago there were rumours that we were going out of business—we would not be investing so much if that were the case."