Buzzer
Buzzer:
Buzzer
McFadyens
A nice looking motor and obviously a genuine ‘heavy’, but can anyone tell me why so many of the dedicated heavy hauliers over the years, Wynns, Sunters, Econofreight, Brambles and Mammout etc. have swallowed each other up whereas so often on this page we see proper pieces of kit operated by names that are entirely new to me and may, or may not be very small operations?
Or have I been too long out of the loop? 
Buzzer
Both before my time, Buzzer. 
Spardo:
Buzzer:
BuzzerMcFadyens
A nice looking motor and obviously a genuine ‘heavy’, but can anyone tell me why so many of the dedicated heavy hauliers over the years, Wynns, Sunters, Econofreight, Brambles and Mammout etc. have swallowed each other up whereas so often on this page we see proper pieces of kit operated by names that are entirely new to me and may, or may not be very small operations?
Or have I been too long out of the loop?
Good question David, but I don’t think there’s a simple answer to it.
In the 80s the really heavy work dried up, so a lot of the former competitors teamed up, resulting in one big group with a lot of equipment and experience. But why they’re all gone now beats me, you’ve worked for Econofreight, do you know what happened in the end?
I think in the case of Pickfords, it was just that they didn’t adapt to newer and easier equipment to use to do the same jobs they did before.
Another reason why some “names of old” called it a day is because of the current situation, especially in moving plant machinery, there are loads of new names out there, undercutting rates just to get the work, and bent the rules here and there. How can one compete with these outfits on a healthy basis and make some profit at the end of the day?
Some of the bigger firms are owned by investment groups, such as Mammoet for example, which currently is for sale, not sure what to think of that, but it’s the sign of the times I reckon.
Rikki-UK:
pv83:
Rikki-UK:
0
heading home today all up 98 tonnes, buta slim 3m wide, bit slow over windy hillTidy looking motor Rikki, how do you like it so far?
Interesting that you’ve got a Franz Bracht crane body on the trailer, was Sarens short of using their own cranes? Or did Bracht needed traction for a gig?
Sorry mate missed this- rumour 1 has it that it was stood after a job in UK so Sarens took it on long term hire as cheaper than shipping one of ours over, rumour 2 is that the new Sarens PSG joint venture bought it, Rumour 3 is we just nicked it when no-one was looking
I have no idea which one is true
I quite like rumour 3 mate
One of those “oh bugger” moments…
Combined modes of transport back in the day.
Patrick:
In the 80s the really heavy work dried up, so a lot of the former competitors teamed up, resulting in one big group with a lot of equipment and experience. But why they’re all gone now beats me, you’ve worked for Econofreight, do you know what happened in the end?
Can’t answer your question, as I said, too long out of the loop, but I reckon the best answer to it will come from Rikki. 
Perhaps some of the answers are in the shape of Wynn’s and Sunter’s both family firms going way back, not the case with Econofreight who started life as part of Tarmac I think. I seem to remember the Tarmac logo on cab doors.
As to the little known, or unknown, to me in the business now, it is not as if they are operating on the margins of safety overloading where they really shouldn’t. Many of the ones I was referring to have correct multi-axle equipment so big money has been put in and has to be paid for. My old mate’s son, ably publicised by our friend from ■■■■■■■ ( ), I do not consider in this category as there is obviously a well founded and maintained fleet there. But there are so many now with one photo on these pages, and no more. Of course, and I keep coming back to it, I have been away a long time, or perhaps they are one vehicle operations? Just wondering.
