Transpeed working hard to recover good reputation
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TRANSPEED SAYS its scheduled appearance at a public inquiry (P1) this month could be dropped if it proves it has no link to the Logistix Group and shows evidence of sufficient financial standing.
Transpeed took on Gateshead postcodes for pallet network Fortec after the Logistix Group had its licence revoked by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Beverley Bell in March,following its acquisition of the goodwill of collapsed haulier Eric Short Haulage last year.
The Gateshead haulier says it is still viewed with suspicion by VOSA after it took on the transport work, nine staff and 13 of the Logistix Group's vehicles. Caveman consultants, which traded as the Logistix Group, acquired the remnants of Eric Short Haulage after it collapsed following a highly leveraged acquisition that found ered in the economic downturn. But Transpeed director Paul Nellis says the firm has no links to the other haulier and describes his business as "transparent as anything".
Nellis says the TC also wants an explanation as to why evidence of it having enough money in the bank was contained on separate statements for both companies: Transpeed UK and Transpeed (NE).
He says: "We used them as one company and they are saying we are not supposed to do it like that. We have now separated them. Our solicitor has said if we can show this information and a statement of who runs the company and that the Logistix Group has nothing to do with it, the P1 will be dropped."
Nellis adds that it has been a struggle to convince people that the company, which has worked for Fortec for several years, is not a rogue haulier: "There are still questions being asked. We are trying to go forward, we are getting there now. We are building up a big strong company and the customers are happy."
A spokeswoman for the TC says: "The company already holds a licence for six vehicles and one trailer and it has applied for a variation to 12 vehicles and five trailers. The licensing team has not been supplied with sufficient evidence of financial standing to support the new application so the PI will consider that."