John Gibson takeover confirmed
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II Speculation concerning the future of John Gibson & Son, Ltd, the Edinburgh bodybuilder, was confirmed to Commercial Motor this week by the company's managing director, Mr Ross C. Davies, who said that the company was going into liquidation following many years of trading during the latter part of which it had suffered severe financial problems.
Mr Davies said that a new company, Caleden Engineering Ltd, will carry on where John Gibson leaves off. "The Gibson family will not have any interests in the new company," said Mr Davies.
Caleden will continue to service existing Gibson vehicles, but it is emphasized that there will be no financial association between the two companies.
A number of investors have offered financial backing to Caleden which intends to extend the refuse vehicle side of its business and add to it an accident damage repair section, hydraulic boom towers and road tankers.
Orders placed on John Gibson and Sons Ltd will be completed by Caleden by arrangement with the customers.
A new vehicle to be shown at the 1PC Conference next week is the Gibson Multiversal which, it is claimed, gives the highest compaction potential of any established refuse collection vehicle and, according to Mr Davies, it will present a very real challenge to the Swiss Norba. The vehicle can be supplied in 16 or 19 Cu yd capacity and is capable of lifting any type of container. Wire ropes and cable winch drums have been replaced by a single hydraulic ram for lifting and lowering the cradle, while twin rams are employed for compaction purposes.
Development of the Multiversal began under John Gibson and Son and will be produced by the new company which hopes to engage many of the craftsmen who have been employed by John Gibson. All of the company's customers and suppliers are being informed of the change in trading conditions.