Cadwallader falls victim to beef war
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by Su Perry • Oswestry-based haulier G&R Cadwallader has closed the bulk of its business with the loss of 138 jobs, blaming the BSE crisis for finally forcing it to shut.
But within hours of the closure some drivers had already found work at nearby Woodwards Foods thanks to Woodwards' new Kwik Save contract, and there could be jobs there for at least 30 more drivers.
Russell Cadwallader blamed the closure on BSE, fierce competition and Government red tape.
The BSE crisis was the final straw, he says: "Losing the beef was one thing, but the French drivers who formerly came over for the beef are now going back with the lamb, so it has been a double blow." With no end in sight to the beef crisis, Cadwallader decided to close while it could still pay its creditors.
The company had 106 trucks and 200 trailers covering the UK and the Continent. The redundant workers include 110 drivers, 12 clerical workers and 14 maintenance staff.
"Our administration is so large and a huge business rate would soon have taken its toll on the business. It was just not viable," says Cadwallader.
The company will carry on in a much diminished form run by Cadwallader's sons John and David who operate a trailer rental business.
hope to employ between 20 and 30 Cadwalladers drivers, but hopefully it is going to be more."