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Stok fails owing UK firms
Page 5
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• Dutch haulier Stok Cargo has gone into receivership, leaving a number of UK firms struggling to claim back money owed to them.
Stellendam, Netherlandsbased Stok, which ran 150 trucks and depended heavily on UK-bound traffic, had until recently worked in partnership with Immingham-based Davis Freight.
However, Davis called off the arrangement in March as it became clear that Stok was in financial difficulty. The companies had agreed to pay one another any money owing within 45 days but Stok was 120 days in arrears, says Davis Freight.
The Dutch company's difficulties culminated when an administrator was called in to the company two weeks ago. However, Stok's commercial director Jacques Van der Linden says it has now launched a new company, Stok Continental Services. "It has about 60 trucks running on the Continent and is now seeking UK partners.
"There are UK companies owed money, which we are very unhappy about. Our liquidators are trying to resolve the situation."
Steve Davis of British haulier Davis Freight confirmed that Stok still owed them money, but would not say how much.
Other creditors include ferry operator DFDS Tor Line. DFDS Tor Line UK managing director Ebbe Pedersen says that the company has registered a claim for money owed with the Dutch receivers. Pedersen adds that the collapse of Stok "had not been expected" by DFDS.
Renault is another creditor, with 120 trucks leased to the company. A Renault spokesperson says that it is currently in talks with Stok and is working with it to continue the running of the business.
It is believed that a number of owner-drivers are also owed money.
Stok Cargo was founded in 1992 and three years ago bought Pam de Jong and Hessels Transport. Pam de Jong owned JW Transport in Zeebrugge, which also became part of the Stok Cargo empire.
Despite numerous attempts by CM, the receivers were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.