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French drive subbies off the rails
Page 7
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BRITISH HAULIERS are outraged by their treatment at the hands of French national rail firm SNCF which has pulled the plug on its UK subsidiary leaving them hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
SNCF, which receives billions of euros in French government subsidies, says it cannot yet settle up with its British subbies and cannot even tell them how much, if anything, they will receive.
Cardiff-based Castle Services ceased trading on 20 August following the loss of major contracts, including steel firm Corus, and the administra tive receivership of its largest customer,ASW Castle was bought by SNCF subsidiary Fret International in 2001 with a view to penetrating the UK logistics market.
The company held a creditors' meeting at which it was agreed that following a voluntary payment to Castle of £700,000 from parent company Fret, creditors would accept between 48% and 71% of their debts.
Castle Service's management allegedly told the subcontractors they would be dealt with "properly and fairly",but many now feel shortchanged by the deal. David Baker. owner of TrailerMech, says almost 90% of his business depended on Castle Services, and with debts of £20.000 he fears his company will go to the wall:"What makes me angry is that in the final two months they traded they increased our orders by two-anda-half times. I have had to lay off two men and borrow £6.000 from my family. I'm now going around customers cap in hand asking them to pay early What they have done is absolutely diabolical."
Owner-driver Hugh Coles, who became Castle Services' transport manager, says he is owed over £15,000: "It's the way they have done it that I object to," he adds.