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Creditors left reeling after United Trailers (UK) closure
Page 8
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By Chris Tindall CREDITORS OF the stricken business United Trailers (UK), Cambridgeshire, have reacted with surprise at the circumstances around the firm's closure, and the failure to hire an administrator.
As CM was closing for press, accountancy firm Grant Thornton confirmed that a 10-day period that gave the company protection from any action a creditor may take against it had now passed.
However, a Grant Thornton spokeswoman says it has not been hired as an administrator, which leaves suppliers still hanging on waiting for any money they claim is owed.
Bernard Duff, for _TM Lane Engineering, says the trailer-maker owes the firm £12,500, adding he asked whether it was closing a few days before the gates were locked, but he was given the impression it wasn't because "they had too much to lose".
He continues: "This case seems to have made a lot of people angrier than normal. We've been here 40 years; our turnover can take this hit, although we don't like to.
"We will miss the work; it's a doublewhammy because of the stock and you also lose the money.
"I feel for the smaller firms who are owed money, and their work makes up a larger percentage of their turnover."
Vishay PM Onboard, which manufactures vehicle weighing systems, is owed £46,000.
Managing director Andrew Graham says: "Our trust in them was sadly not returned. We visited on Thursday and the workshop was full. Every bay was full, and there were around 10 bays. They were full of trailers going through. By Saturday morning, there was nothing anywhere.
"We will personally go after them to retrieve the debt."
Hyva UK managing director Tony Davis also says he was of the belief that the business was OK before it closed. He says: "I would say it seems strange that a business supposedly with a full order book suddenly [closes]."
The website of United Trailers (UK) has been taken down and its telephone number disconnected.
CM was unable to contact the company directors.