80 jobs lost as hydraulic lift company collapses

ALL 80 jobs have been lost at hydraulic lift specialist Ross & Bonnyman after the company ran out of money following the sale of a key part of its manufacturing operations.

Representatives from Begbies Traynor met staff yesterday after the firm had been appointed as provisional liquidators at the family owned business.

Established in 1973, the Forfar-based company specialised in the design and manufacture of ambulance and yard lifts, lifting decks and other specialised engineering products. Its equipment is used in sectors such as distribution, food and drink, service and retail, as well as by local authorities.

Ken Pattullo, Scottish managing partner at Begbies Traynor, said he and co-liquidator David Menzies were “still trying to establish fully” the circumstances behind the financial difficulties at Ross & Bonnyman. However, part of the trouble appeared to stem from lower demand amid slower expansion in the warehousing and superstore sector, plus the effect of public sector spending cuts on orders for ambulance lifts.

He added that further difficulties appeared to have “stemmed from an inability to adjust the overhead base quickly enough following the sale of the commercial vehicles spare parts division of the business”.

The company announced in November 2010 that it would stop making tail lifts for commercial vehicles, an activity which chairman Alan Honig described at that time as “a large part of our business”.

Despite the company’s difficulties, Menzies said he was hopeful of finding a buyer for the assets of the business.

“We have already had a number of enquiries,” he added, “but in the short term we cannot continue trading the company due to lack of cashflow to pay employees and suppliers.”