Back in February 2011, north-east container haulier Bulmers Transport closed its doors. The business had been running since January 2009, following the administration of Bulmers Logistics.
That pre-pack administration was particularly controversial in some circles, as the trade and assets of Bulmers Logistics was sold to the newly formed Bulmers Transport for just £1 – but some 200 jobs were transferred under TUPE regulations too. Bulmers Logistics had total debts of £14.1m and more than 300 unsecured creditors.
The MD of both businessess, Johnathan Bulmer, had spent 17 years building the business, describing its failure as “like a death” – it had a turnover of approximately £17m at the time.
Bulmers Transport had a good run, picking up Container Carrier of the Year Award at the Asda Carrier Awards in 2010, but the loss of a major customer (after it failed) turned the screw resulting in a winding-up petition.
Bulmer, understandably, put his energy into new ventures following this. He set up Cleveland Containers, which specialises in hiring and selling shipping containers.
Then, in February 2014 Cleveland Containers made an application for a standard international O-licence for five vehicles and five trailers out of its Grangetown, Middlesbrough site. This was granted without a public inquiry in May 2014.
Last week Cleveland Containers started work as a subcontractor for Hargreaves Logistics.
Hargreaves Facebook feed quotes Andrew Spence-Wolrich (and carries this photograph by Jay Laverick): "Another dedicated subcontractor joints the Hargreaves Logistics fold so welcome to Cleveland Containers. Livery is slightly unusual as we didn't have time to paint it and needed it on the road and working. Looks good we think."