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Lock stock and barrel
Page 66
Page 67
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CM recently reported that Gordons of Bonnybridge had called it a day; but that still left the task of selling
off the fleet. It was time for an auction...
The final chapter in the story of Scottish haulier Gordons of Bonnybridge took place at its yard as the entire fleet, complete with a 40-tonne container handler, was auctioned off.
The sale, staged by Malcolm Harrison Auctions, attracted 150 registered buyers with an even split between trade and private bidders. They came from around the UK and Ireland and from as far afield as Dubai.
By 2.30pm everything had gone, bringing in more than £.500,000 (ex-VAT).
The decision to cease trading was made after the company lost a contract it had run for more than 40 years distributing Cummins engines. This, combined with forthcoming legislation such as the Working Time Directive and the grant of planning permission for housing on the firm's Broomhill Road site, persuaded MD David Gordon to call it a day (CM 29 April).
Up for grabs was a sizeable fleet of 23 Foden,ERF and Seddon Atkinson tractors, 64 trailers, five forklifts and container handlers, two vans, garage and maintenance equipment, and a number of containers. Exceeded expectations Ben Walker, head of marketing at Malcolm Harrison Auctions, was pleased with the day's trading: "The old trailers exceeded our expectation on value for the export market."The modern skeletal trailers obtained expected prices with eight 2002 Dennison sliding
skeletals making between £8,750 to £9,100 (ex-VAT). Six 2001 Montracons achieved between £6,700 and £7,100 (ex-VAT). The latest additions to the fleet were eight 6x2 Foden Alphas with XL cabs. The two 2002-registered Alphas sold for up to £29,000 (exVAT) with the three 2001 models making between £22,000 and £24,500 (ex-VAT).The remaining two 2000 examples achieved up to £17,500 (ex-VAT). "The 40 tonne Henley Hermes con tainer handler made £27,000,"
Walker adds. While
it's always sad to see a well established haulage company close its doors for the final time at least it was the decision of its management rather than administrators, or debtors. And all the firm's drivers have found new jobs. "The Gordon family was happy with the job that was done," says Walker. "It was an absolute pleasure to do the auction and we wish him and his family all the very best in the future." • CONTACT Malcolm Harrison Auctions on 01782 372966; www.malcolmharrison.co.uk