A One goes into liquidation with big debts to subbies
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by David Cralk • Leecs-based A One Transport has gone into voluntary receivership with the loss of 40 jobs, owing thousands of pounds to at least 10 owner-drivers.
The domestic and international haulage firm, which was founded in 1947, appointed Deloitte & Touche as receiver on 8 February after reporting cashflow problems.
Ten subcontracted ownerdrivers have been told that work for them has now ceased. They have also been told by the receivers that it is "unlikely* they will be paid what they are owed by A One.
Leeds-based owner-driver David Daykin, who has worked for A One for four years, says he is awed £11,000. "I feel really dumped on," he says. "Eleven thousand pounds is a working man's wage for a year. A-One surely must have known at least two months ago that they were in trouble—we heard nothing."
Daykin says he went through "hell" for four days after bang told there was no more work. "I thought I would have to sell my house and my trailer and end up on the street," he says.
The ever-rising cost of fuel is cited by Daykin as the final straw which "finished off A One", but the receivers say that the effect of this problem on the company was "not as great as others". Daykin has since found other work.
Graham Tunstall, also of Leeds, worked for A One since 1997. He is owed up to £12,000 and is also angry that A One did not give any warnings. "1 have now got work with an Austrian company who pay me on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month," he says. "This is what all good UK companies should
be doing."
The rest of A One's fleet of 70 tractors is working as normal on the company's Boots distribution contract.
Deloitte & Touches Angus Martin says it is too early to release details of total debts, but he believes it is imperative to sell the company as a going concern as soon as possible to retain the Boots deal.
The company declined to comment on the receivership.
Contact: Angus Martin at Deloitte & Touche on 0113 243 9021.