bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55245716
Another blow to drivers working for the company, hope they cab find a buyer and secure jobs for at least some of the drivers.
2020 has been a pretty ■■■■ year all round for everyone but also much worse for many others.
Apparently they were paying the drivers too much money. 
Not a great shame as they were some of the worst payers and the worst operators in South Wales. However, if anyone on here is working for them and is worried about work this close to Xmas PM me if you want - I’m based in the local area and can probably point you in the direction of work if needed - with direct numbers and names rather than general advice I’ll post below.
Owens are probably going to hoover up the work. And that will be a shame as they are not exactly the best to work for either. During lockdown Mk1 some suppliers gave a load of pop and sweets for the drivers as a thank you… The lot got put in the petrol stations Owens own to be sold and the drivers never saw any! But it’s an option to keep the wolf from the door.
South Wales is the absolute worst for haulage generally - unless you are onto something more specialised like myself. John Raymonds is not much better and Nolans taking over hasn’t improved things! But it’s an option if you are close to Bridgend as they are always after drivers.
Tbh if you are tramping you are as well off going over the water to Avonmouth. In Cardiff you have a small depot of McGreggors in the docks - they operate new kit and unlike the Yorkshire office you will be treated well. The TM is a decent bloke - I only did a bit there. He did tell me he was after more full time drivers if anyone wants tramping.
If Magor is closer then there is always Tesco and or the brewery. I think staffline have the contract for all the agency in Tesco. And they were recruiting for shunters at the Brewery. Certainly better than being on the dole.
S&K are always an option in Barry if you fancy Euro work. They have a weird pay scale of a day rate and a percentage of what the lorry makes. They also do UK tramping if you don’t want to go over the water. Don’t bother applying for these online - simply call them or head down in person. It’s a marmite job with some blokes saying they love it and some telling me they hate it.
TDW are always after work. Might be pallet multidrop in an artic - and not the best kit. But an option. If in that area AVOID United Worldwide Logistics!!! They are the worst and run by a known scammer. Google the owner.
I’m sure other blokes will chime in with recommendations and advice. As I seem to get a bit of flack on here if you want to have a pop then leave it. I’ve only written all the above stuff to try and help out fellow drivers who might be worrying about buying their kids presents for xmas or paying the mortgage.
Bought by…
An investment firm last year who obviously stripped it bare, then legged it with the cash and dumped hard working men in the crap at Xmas.
Their website is full of corporate waffle about organic growth and positive relationships. Yeh yeh yeh, I’ll bet the bosses at Cathay Investments won’t be scratching for a few quid this christmas.
all due respect WBD , i’ve no opinions on you either way but that was a good and informative post mate hope it reaches those that may need it…
m.a.n rules:
all due respect WBD , i’ve no opinions on you either way but that was a good and informative post mate hope it reaches those that may need it…
That was my intention. I can take people not liking me on here and in real life. But it would be a shame if it turned into name calling rather than helping out fellow drivers.
I also want to point out - that there are loads of options I’ve not mentioned as I know very little about them. Aldi In Cardiff etc. I’ve delivered to them but I’ve not worked there and don’t really know anyone who has. So I really do think the other local lads can offer suggestions - which would be fantastic.
I’ve also intentionally not gone into ‘specialized work’ - not because I’m arrogant or saying RD drivers are not good enough for that. But because atm it’s not practical or going to get the blokes earning quickly. Those jobs are what you want in South Wales - but they generally are not waiting for drivers to come through the door and offer keys.
Just thought of another suggestion mind you… In Cardiff you have T4 Logistics. The owner Dave has always been okay with me. They do a variety of stuff from containers to flats. He told me recently he was always after drivers. If you are after tramping he has that and he also does day driving. I suspect a new pass might be given a go with them if they had the right attitude. An ADR would be useful for them - but if you don’t have it they still have work (know as I don’t have it). That’s another firm you would be better and popping down and seeing - but if anyone wants his mobile number then PM me. Lots of long term drivers there so it can’t be too bad.
Harry Monk:
Apparently they were paying the drivers too much money.
In a high wage environment caused by the ‘driver shortage’.
While ‘some’ say that fuel costs are the elephant in the room.What would I know in that regard.
They’d lost a few contracts to Nolan’s
Also they’d have a habit of losing stuff from said contracts
Sent from my truck
I assume the redundancies are from all the depots assuming they aren’t all seperate companies?
Birmingham shouldn’t be too bad for work and I’ve heard Clarks run a lot of ADR, albeit for lower wages than many. I do know a depot nearish Birmingham (Cannock) who might need ADR pallets drivers.
I could point anyone with ADR to a possible candidate company in the St Helens region. Not brilliant money, but its a job and possibly better than their current.
Dont know anywhere round Barnsley or London unfortunately. Cant give name publically as I work for them currently and it probably breaches something or other I’ve signed.
Hopefully any reading this will start to get some ideas from the names being bounced around so far.
Quicker than I thought it would be, I fear more to follow
In Barnsley
TAP Freight, Gist (M&S) TAT Transport, Gregory’s, Transparent to name but a few