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Subbies race against time for owed cash
Page 10
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CM INVESTIGATION
• by Chris Tindall Subcontractors have until late May to try to claw back money owed to them by Ecorntech, the firm that bought E&C Transport and Forwarding, before the company is struck off the Companies House register.
Ecomtech has failed to provide an annual return since last September, and its accounts are nine months overdue.
In addition the Gibraltarbased software company, which also owns sister firm E&C Transport & Forwarding (UK), has no registered company secretary.
On 18 February, the company was given 100 days to come up with this information otherwise It would be struck off and its assets handed over to the Crown.
However, hauliers are still awaiting payments dating back to when former director Matt Elliott owned both freight forwarding firms, and they fear the latest development might affect their chances of being paid.
Some hauliers are already in touch with their solicitors.
We have taken It to the next stage," says one South Wales haulier, owed just under 19,000 by E&C Transport and Forwarding. "A letter has been sent to Ecomtech giving them seven days to respond or we will be issuing a statutory demand. That was Just over two weeks ago."
He says they will step up the pace now that Ecomtech could be struck off.
CM revealed that Elliott sold the firms in January to the software consultancy, after operators complained that they were not being paid
(CM6-12Mar).
But hauliers awaiting payment still have a chance to fight for the money they are owed by writing to Companies House before the 100 days are up, objecting to Ecomtech being struck off (see below). This effectively holds up the procedure and could buy time to serve winding up orders on the firm.
CM was unsuccessful in attempts to obtain comment from Ecomtech as it went to press.
• christophertindall arbi. co.uk • If you are stli awaiting payment from E&C Transport and Forwarding or E&C Transport & Forwarding (UK) write to: Dissolution Dept, Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff CF14 3UZ. State your company name and how much money you are owed by Ecomtech. Quote Ecomtech's company number (4053955) and explain your Objections to the firm being struck off.
The deadline is May 29.