An auction of part of the fleet of Huntingdon-based Williams Transport attracted strong demand, according to organiser Malcolm Harrison Auctions.
The haulier, a United Pallet Network member that operates 42 trucks and has a range of customers in the moving-floor and general haulage sectors, held the event at its Cambridgeshire yard on 11 January after it lost a contract with a plastic pipe manufacturer earlier this month.
More than 20 DAF, Iveco, Scania, Mercedes-Benz and Renault tractor units were for sale, as well as some rigids relating to the contract, which Williams Transport had held for 30 years. Pick of the bunch were two 2017 Iveco Stralis 500 6x4 tractors, as well as two 2015 DAF XF460 6x2 rear-lift tractor units, all with Palfinger cranes.
The auction also included more than 30 trailers, many of them tri-axle flats from M&G; SDC Trailers; Montracon; Fruehauf; Cartwright; Wilson; Don-Bur; and Schmitz Cargobull, as well as equipment and spare parts.
Auctioneer Charlie Foyle said: “Williams Transport is a well known and well-run respectable company; there was a genuine reason for selling, and all the gear was well looked after. The newer tractor units with cranes, as well as the step-frame trailers and tri-axle flats, all made strong money - anything modern tends to make money at auction. Turnout at the site was really good and, as usual, there was also a good presence online.”
Williams Transport general manager Malcolm Shovelton said: “We decided to sell the specialist equipment that related to this contract. Business is booming and we continue to do well; it was just a shock to lose a longstanding customer like that after having been given 90 days’ notice,” he added.
