Apr.20--ONE of Britain's oldest container haulage firms, Deben Transport, has ceased trading, blaming a sustained period of losses, reports Lloyd's Loading List.
The Felixstowe company shut its doors last week after failing to turn around a 2013 pre-tax trading loss of GBP658,000 (US$968,400).
As well as its base in Felixstowe, Deben Transport had further depots in Southampton, Tilbury, Alconbury, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, South Shields and Doncaster.
Established by managing director Paul Dawson in 1987 with two second-hand vehicles, one of which he drove himself, the company grew rapidly and at the time of its closure it is said to have operated 225 tractors and 500 trailers and employed more than 200 drivers and 50 administration staff, together with some 100 subcontractor owner-drivers.
SHD Logistics reported that the failure of Deben Transport appeared to be another example of a company unable to remain viable as margins in the haulage industry continue to be eroded as freight rates drop.
(Source:shippingazette)