Freight forwarder is back in business by Rob Willock •
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The man behind collapsed Wiltshire freight forwarder Euro-Forwarding, which went under owing several hauliers thousands of pounds, is back in business again.
Just a week after Euro-Forwarding's collapse, Jimmy Biggins is answering the phone as "Euro-Freight"—news that will upset creditors of his failed company. Last week Euro-Forwarding's liquidator, 3 iP, told CM it did not expect anyone to recoup their losses (CM18-24 June).
Biggins denies he has set up again, claiming that he is simply employed as a traffic clerk by Euro-Freight GB in Corsham. However, a Company's House search on Euro-Freight GB revealed that James Biggins is listed as a director.
Biggins also complains about the bad press he has received since the liquidation of EuroForwarding, which he blames on Ebbw Vale hardboard manufacturer Tech-Board going into receivership in March. "It took about four-dozen companies down, but I didn't see any publicity about that," he says.
These protests are unlikely to impress Euro-Forwarding's creditors. Derbyshire haulier FB Wolfe was owed £7,000 by Euro-Forwarding. Jim Wolfe says he cannot believe Biggins is up and running again so soon, while his own company is struggling to make ends meet because of the loss. Atlas International of Wisbech was owed £9,000 by Euro-Forwarding. "We gave Jimmy ample opportunity to pay us—but he didn't," says director Patricia Bolton. "It doesn't surprise me he has set up again."
Ironically, Bolton and her husband Bob were employees of Phoenix Cargo which went bust in August last year, causing financial problems for hundreds of ownerdrivers (CM 7-13 August, 1997).
CI A meeting for creditors of Euro-Forwarding will be held tomorrow (26 June) in Corsham.