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WS Verrill takes a bow at 50 Haulier fears THE
Page 16
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WS MERRILL fleet went under the hammer last weekend (19 March), marking the end of 50 years in the business.
Company boss Desmond Merrill, the son of founder William Sidney Merrill, blames the firm's closure on increased costs, excessive legislation and falling profits.
"I'm not sad at all. We were working harder for less, so I've no regrets," he says.
Merrill, which was based in Sandy. Beds, employed 12 drivers, one fitter and two office workers. They were told of the firm's decision to close last September and have all found other jobs. Merrill has also recommended other hauliers to serve his long-standing customers. "There is always someone ready to step in," he says. Merrill's bigger customers included the Sandy businesses Deepdale Trees and Marshalls Building Products.
Desmond's father started the firm in 1947 after he came out of the army; its first work was transporting vegetables for the London market. Merrill says: "We had good customers who stayed loyal to us right up to the end but we couldn't carry on with the continuation of increased costs."