Tough trading takes its toll
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• Tough times in the trailer and bodybuilding market have taken their toll on a further two companies.
Coachwork Walker, went into receivership last Thursday, and Oldbury Trailers, has now been liquidated.
Their collapse follows the recent demise of trailer manufacturer, Carrymaster. Coachwork Walker is continuing to trade to a limited extent, but its affairs are being handled by receiver Less Ross of Grant Thornton, Preston. The company was created in 1985 when CoIne-based Coachwork Conversions absorbed Walker Conversions of Watford. It has carried out a lot of work for British Telecom and in 1988 launched a wide ambulance body based on the Peugoet Talbot Express.
Oldbury Trailers, which was part of a management buyout from Woodhouse and Rixson nine years ago, got into financial difficulties due to the sudden downturn in orders.
Managing director Brian Lang says: "We had insufficient production to cover our overheads and came to the end of the road because we ran out of money.
"At our best, turnover was i4m a year—in 1989 it was £3m. Last year we were turning out six tipper trailers a week — we, have built three so far this year. Lang says since the interest rates began to soar last September, the phones have slowed down and orders have been cancelled.
"We built specialist trailers — tipper trailers were a substantial part of our turnover last year.
"We also made rockcrusher chassis and running gear, mobile generator and military chassis which have all been subject to a downturn in the market," adds Lang.