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Collapsed firm may ruin subbies
Page 5
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A Sussex-based haulier has gone into receivership leaving a dozen subcontractors saddled with massive debts and facing an uncertain future.
The total amount owed by Chichester-based Natures Way Logistics, whose factoring company appointed administrators Smith & Williamson last Friday (24 January), is unclear but is believed to be in excess of 1500,000.
The firm specialised in supermarket work, picking up produce from farms to transport to regional distribution centres, and it used a large number of subcontractors alongside its own vehicles. Sources say it ran a fleet of 12 trucks and 20 trailers itself.
However, desperate subbies say that, despite promises from the company's directors that they would settle its debts, some haven't received payment for up to six months.
Steve Fowler from Fowler International Transport claims that the company owes him around 113,000: "I have already had to make a driver redundant and am back driving myself. Our fuel cards have stopped because we cannot afford to pay the bills. One of our customers is in the same situation and Is owed around £30,000 by them; until he gets paid, he cannot afford to settle up with me."
He also claims that many subcontractors moved to Natures Way from a rival chilled operator after it promised them better rates.
Another, Kevin Thomas from KG Thomas international, blasts: "I was owed around £62,000 but within weeks this has risen to £68,000 due to interest payments. The six cheques that I received from them have all bounced. I don't think we Will get any money from them at all."
Another anonymous haulier who contacted CM says that lw is owed in excess of 140,000: "I could have lost everything I have worked for over the last 17 years overnight because of them. Hopefully we are in a position to bear the brunt of the loss but there are others that are in a far worse state than ourselves."
A spokesperson for Natures Way declined to comment. One of the company's directors, Mornington Stafford Seager, has previously been involved in two liquidated road transport firms: Top Contracts, previously known as Heyland Haulage, and Wheatagrove.
• E-ma II: jennifer.bal co.uk