The exact financial status of United Trailers (UK) remained a mystery as CM went to press after the recovery firm apparently tasked with handling its affairs was suddenly dropped.
On 2 October the Wisbech trailer manufacturer told its staff not to come into work the next morning and then promptly closed the doors and locked the gates to the business.
When CM contacted London-based Rifsons, it confirmed it was now in charge of the business. An advert also appeared in the London Gazette stating that a creditors' meeting had been scheduled to take place at Rifsons' Charles Lane premises to discuss the appointment of the liquidators.
But a second company, Grant Thornton, has now confirmed that an intention to appoint it has been filed, although it has yet to confirm whether it will handle the firm's affairs.
Duncan Wordsworth, chairman of Wordsworth Holdings, describes the situation as "bizarre" and says Fruehauf, which he owns, is a creditor of United Trailers (UK), although he is unsure of what is owed. "It's going up all the time," he explains.
Wordsworth also claims he will be making an offer for what's left of the Cambridgeshire business. He adds: "It has been in a peculiar limbo. I have never dealt with anything like this before. It closed down on Friday. I couldn't believe it people were rattling around outside trying to get their tools back."
The closure has taken a further twist because a former director of United Trailers (UK), Graham Waring, registered a new company at Companies House on 2 October called United Trailers Ltd, of which he is sole director.
Waring resigned as a director of United Trailers (UK) in 2005, along with David Nicholl. However the two men have a debenture on the failed company, meaning they are entitled to receive money before unsecured creditors.
CM was unable to contact Waring or Nicholl as we went to press. United Trailers (UK) directors Kevin Pell and Kev Wales did not return our calls.
A Grant Thornton spokeswoman says: "An intention to appoint Grant Thornton has been filed in court by the directors of United Trailers, but we have not currently been appointed."
