Another firm killed by rates and costs
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by David Craik • Merseyside haulier Hardisty, which fought a bitter dispute with the Vehicle Inspectorate through the pages of CM in November 1997, has become an early 1999 haulage casualty.
The 35-vehicle tanker firm, which changed its name from JE Hardisty last year, closed on 12 January due to cashflow problems.
"It is the usual story of low rates combining with high costs including, of course, fuel," says a company spokesman.
He adds that all 30 drivers employed by the firm, which has depots in Hull and London, have found new jobs.
An auction of the vehicles is scheduled for March and a creditors' meeting will be held within the next three months, says receiver Ernst and Young.
Two years ago managing director John Hardisty claimed his and two other Merseyside companies were being harassed by the VI (CM6-12 Nov 1997).
Hardisty alleged the harassment followed the companies' reporting of vehicle examiners Eric Hover and Alan Barnes to the police for unlawfully stopping vehicles inside the Port of Liverpool estate.