Carefoot Group closes down subsidiary Walter Carefoot and Sons (Transport)

Carefoot, which employs around 87 staff, of which 33 are in the transport division, is selling its haulage fleet by auction at Malcolm Harrison Auctioneers in Whitchurch, Shropshire this Saturday (18 May). The lot includes 24 Volvo FH 460 tractors and 20 tipping trailers.

The decision to close the transport division, which trades as Walter Carefoot and Sons (Transport), follows a tough year for the group, which saw its construction division turnover drop by 20%.

Walter Carefoot and Sons (Transport) and was launched in 1966. It offers nationwide bulk tipping transport services, hauling third party goods throughout the UK and occasionally into Europe.

As well as operating its own fleet, the transport division works with a number of non-dedicated subcontractors throughout the year to help cover its workload tin peak and seasonal periods.The division also runs its own workshop of mechanics and trailer fitters.

According to the company’s latest annual results for the year to 31 March 2023, group turnover fell to £25.7mm (2022: £30.8m) with pre-tax profit tumbling to £301,585 (2022: £1.3m).

The company’s construction division, which trades as Walter Carefoot and Sons (Construction), was hardest hit, with turnover falling to £20.8m (2022: £26.3m).

According to the company’s strategic review of the annual results, the construction division was hit by “client and design team issues” which saw some projects being paused on site.

In addition, several construction projects the company had won were cancelled or put on hold because of budget funding constraints “due to the inflationary pressure on client’s budgets”.

Walter Carefoot and Sons (Transport) fared better during the year, with turnover increasing in 2023 to £4.9m (2022: £4.6m). However its performance was restrained by rising fuel prices, according to the strategic review.

A request for comment from Carefoot has yet to receive a response.