Elar goes into liquidation
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Middlesbrough-based Elar International has gone into liquidation leaving several small hauliers owed thousands of pounds.
The company, which is run by directors David Ritchie and Mike Nichol-Bailey, was formally wound up at Middlesbrough County Court on 21 February—just eight months after leasing a new fleet of six Scania tractive units.
Ritchie says the business was going well until last September when he took a holiday in Spain.
He says that when he came home nine days later the company's cashflow was in trouble and clients believed he was not returning.
Ritchie also says he was hit by a had debt front a foreign factoring firm and several thefts of cash: a loaded artic was stolen from Dover docks.
"The true picture of what happened will emerge," he says. "I have nothing to hide."
Devon-based haulier Ferry link says that it is owed £18,000 after undertaking work to Greece; manager director Dawn Crawford believes a number of other hauliers are in the same boat.
Elar ran 10 vehicles on international work, specialising in trips to Romania.
The official receiver in Stockport plans a creditor's meeting on 27 March; contact 01642 617720 for details.