'Accidental haulier' sells up to David Hathaway Transport

Bristol firm David Hathaway Transport has expanded with the acquisition of the goodwill and assets of Swindon-based Broadleaze Logistics, which is in liquidation.

Broadleaze survived barely 10 months in the industry, having been set up in February to acquire the assets of failed Swindon firm Broadleaze Transport. At the time director Marc Chauveau described himself as an "accidental haulier", as it was his first venture into the transport sector.

However, he says he quickly realised he was out of his depth and sold the bulk of his client list to Bristol-based David Hathaway Transport at the end of September. Paul Boyle and John Sallabank of Harrisons Business Recovery and Insolvency were appointed joint liquidators of Broadleaze Logistics on 6 December.

Chauveau says he was expecting to pay around £8,000 a week in fuel costs to run the firm's 11-strong fleet, but in reality weekly diesel costs were between £12,000 and £14,000.

"We were breaking even at best, and if we had a bad week with not enough jobs I was losing a lot of money," he says. "I did approach clients about price rises and fuel surcharges, but they were all so resistant. I quickly realised this was a business that was not going to make any money."

As a result, he approached David Hathaway Transport in July. "They run a tight ship with a large fleet and I felt our client list would be attractive to them."

A deal was signed in September and all HGV drivers and admin staff transferred to David Hathaway.

Despite high closing-down costs, the liquidators expect the majority of creditors to be paid.

Chauveau adds: "Road haulage is a very difficult business, and I take my hat off to all of those involved in the industry."

David Hathaway Transport declined to comment.