EFL: jobs go as rescue bid fails
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by Derren Hayes • More than 100 drivers have lost their jobs at intermodal operator European Freight Logistics (EFL) after a three-company consortium withdrew a bid to continue running half the fleet.
EFL, which went into receivership two weeks ago (CM21-27 March), had been operating 50 vehicles as it tried to find a buyer for half its fleet of 110 44tonners.
All staff were laid off and the operation was wound down last week resulting in the closure of EFL's depot at the Euro terminal in Willesden, North London.
The 20-month-old company ran a fleet of Leyland Dafs and Fodens and had major contracts with Bell and Italian freight express forwarder Merzario.
Stephen Bennett, EFL's managing director, blames the closure on problems at Willesden, lack of business and the French rail strike. "I still believe in the business," he says, "but it needs to be refined—it couldn't go on as it was."