Firms' links examined • The Road Haulage Association has claimed
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that a licence bid by Penrithbased Acredean is merely an attempt to avoid the consequences of possible further serious drivers' hours and tachograph convictions involving Bulman Bulk and Haulage.
North Western Traffic Commissioner Martin Albu has reserved decision on the company's bid for a licence for 12 vehicles and 15 trailers, opposed by the RHA on grounds of repute and finance.
In September 1991 Bulman Bulk and Haulage was fined £9,500 after being convicted of aiding and abetting drivers to falsify tachograph charts. The company's licence was revoked in February 1992 but it was subse a 3 quently granted a fresh licence in March 1992. Bulman Bulk and Haulage, its associate Bulman (Penrith), and its two directors are currently awaiting trial at Carlisle Crown Court for further alleged offences involving the falsification of tachograph charts.
Geoffrey Dunning, the RHNs North Eastern District manager, said Acredean had the same operating centre as Bulman's and the maintenance contractor was the same. The directors of Bulman's were Peter Housby and David Brown. The directors of Acredean were Brown's son and Housby's wife.
Brian Fish, director of DFF International, said that the anticipated amount owed to creditors of £87,330 at the end of the first financial year was extremely low.
He felt the vehicle insurance figure of £19,000 for ten 38-tonne tippers was also very low. The vehicle leasing figures of £216,000 was 25% of the total costs. The industry's average was around 10% and it left the company extremely exposed to any downturn in business.
He believed that the overheads figure of £1,000 was extremely optimistic for a company turning over app roximately £1m. The audit fee alone would be higher than that, he said.
Using the company's own figures, he predicted there would be a net cash deficit of just under £56,000 at the end of year one.
He maintained that in a startup situation, allowing for a 60-day trading position, a company needed something between £12,000 to £15,000 per vehicle operated. He felt the costs were understated and the profit overstated.
Acredean's accountant Alan McViety said that he foresaw a positive cash position at the end of the first year.
Hilary Housby said that the intention was that Bulman's would provide all Acredean's work. The company would take over Bulman's vehicles and drivers. She agreed she had no experience of running a haulage business.