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End of the line

21th October 2004
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

After more than 30 successful years in the haulage industry Jim and Janice Milligan retired. Why?

Legislation, legislation, legislation.

Kevin Swallow reports.

11 I'S too easy to say rising costs, new laws, health and safety procedures, and apparent double standards by VOSA are forcing hauliers out of the industry But when successful transport companies are saying just that, perhaps it's time to worry. Jim and Janice Mulligan ran JMS Transport in Turriff, north of Aberdeen, for 17 years.A fleet of flagship tractors and high-spec low loaders moved farm machinery and plant to generate an annual turnover of £2m-plus. So this was a successful specialistnot a tired general haulier unable to squeeze any more out the margins.

And on Saturday 9 October, in a quarry in Shropshire, it all became history as Malcolm Harrison auctioned off the entire fleet.

Jim Mulligan explains:"The enjoyment just isn't there.The steady increase of legislation and health and safety issues is stupid. It stops you doing the job. We were getting a lot of hassle from VOSA over small things while bigger companies were getting away with more serious issues."

While he was defending drivers running 10 minutes over their driving time, he claimed trucks in bigger fleets which were running day d night, and others with poor maintenance, ere getting away with it.

"It [VOSA] wears you down," he says. —They're never off your back with trivial issues. They come and tell you what to do and how to do it, and they have no knowledge of transport or a background in the haulage industry."

Mulligan believes common sense has been replaced by a culture that requires everything on paper:"Vve had to do a risk assessment for every machine loaded."

And all this is before the Working Time Directive is mentioned. "It wouldn't work for transport up here," he says. "A hell of a lot of transport companies are going to finish in the near future."

No future in transport...

And Mulligan warns that people leaving the industry in the north-east of Scotland are not being replaced: "There are no young people coming in —it costs too much to get your licence. By the time they get to 21 years of age they're already into other things."

He believes that the ceaseless stream of legislation, health and safety issues and rising fuel prices means many operators are living on borrowed time.

"The government got £40,000 in taxes from each vehicle we ran.That's taxes from fuel, wages, and road tax. I don't see a future in it for UK hauliers. I think in 10 years road transport in the UK will be run by foreign hauliers. Everything is cheaper on the Continent."

None of his 14 drivers are likely to start up on their own working ex-JMSTransport contracts;Mulligan says they don't want the hassle,preferring to take newjobs instead.

The Mulligans started the company in July 1987 with a telephone and a kitchen table before buying a Mercedes-Benz SK tractor. „MIS Transport has moved a lot of things during its time but it's the farm machinery and plant that have paid dividend& And his reputation preceded him: "I have never got any work through advertising. People have approached us through recommendation made by customers.That is the best advertising you can have," With more than 300 established customers including Manitou.Renault and Volvo Construction, as well as a niche moving second-hand machinery,the demise of the business will leave a large hole for other operators to fill.

...but possibly elsewhere?

There have been rumours in the area that the Mulligans have bought a farm in the US, Canada, or New Zealand, or that they will embark on a world tour.

In fact they will be tying up loose ends until early next year when the lease expires on the yard.

"Anyone who knows me knows I won't be buying a farm," he concludes. don't know what do but Twill be looking to do something completely different. But you can never say never," •


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