It has emerged that chilled and ambient logistics specialist Davis Haulage entered into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) months after it was bought by the owner of Widdowson Group.

Widdowson Group, the trading name of AM Widdowson & Son, is also operating under a CVA after suffering financial problems. It was purchased by Malta-based company HLD Group on 16 June 2015 and placed into a CVA the month after.

In February this year HLD Group purchased Crewe-based Davis Haulage. One month later (6 April) the haulage firm applied for a CVA.

Davis Haulage MD and owner Damion Davis resigned as a director at the time of the CVA. However, on 14 April he was appointed MD of Widdowson Group, replacing the haulier’s interim MD Peter Wills.

Announcing Davis’s role on 14 April Widdowson Group said: “Widdowson Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Damion Davis as its new MD. Damion was previously MD of Crewe-based chilled specialist Davis Haulage, which was acquired by Widdowson’s owners HLD Group in March 2016.

“Damion will retain responsibility for the Crewe operation and sees great opportunities in establishing a combined chilled and ambient service offering.”

Davis was unavailable for comment as MT went to press.

HLD Group acquired a majority shareholding in AM Widdowson & Son last year after the loss of a number of significant contracts.

Under the CVA, Widdowson will face a compulsory winding up of the company if it fails to pay two of the 60 monthly contributions under a payment schedule stretching to June 2020.

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