Firm closes because 'there is no future'
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A by Charles Young
Stoke-on-Trent haulier Maurice Nield (Transport) is closing because "there is no future in the industry". The company, which is solvent, is laying off its 30 staff, and managing director Sandra Meld says all creditors will be paid.
Nield took the decision to cease trading following the retirement of her father, company chairman Maurice Nield. She joined the company two and-a-half years ago with a view to taking over but believes now is a good time to leave the industry.
"The Government seems intent an continually increasing the taxes so that's why I don't want to carry on. It's not going to get any better," says Nield. "Recruitment is also becoming an increasing problem. One driver has been here for 30 years but when people leave it's very difficult to
replace them." The company has been In business for 45 years, specialising in brick and block work and tanker haulage. 0 Auctions prices for used trucks are falling behind industry expectations, warns chartered surveyor Weatherall, Green &Smith.
Tractive units have been fetching 15% below the prices indicated in some industry guides while trailer prices have been 27% down.