Pembrokeshire-based Silcox Coach Company, which operates school transport as well as local bus services, has been placed into administration today.

Despite attempts by administrators from Sheffield-based Wilson Field to secure a buyer with various interested parties, the 134-year-old company, which operated a fleet of 65 coaches and buses from its base in Pembroke Dock, has now ceased trading.

Insolvency practitioners Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright from Wilson Field Limited were appointed by shareholders after the company experienced financial difficulties and as a result all 92 staff jobs have been made redundant.

However, in the region of 50 staff have been re-employed by Edwards Coaches of Pontypridd who have been granted the local authority contracts previously operated by Silcox.

Kelly Burton, director and insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field said:

“Silcox Coaches was a fourth generation bus and coach operator and over the years provided various forms of transport services latterly focussing local authority community bus routes, school services, coach hire and coaching holidays.

“The company had an excellent reputation within the industry, the local community and its clients. Initially there were a number of parties interested in buying the business and assets and we had hoped to save all the jobs of the loyal workforce. Sadly, despite our best efforts none of these came to fruition. On the positive side, Edwards Coaches of Pontypridd have re-employed approximately 50 of those staff.”

As well as office accommodation in Pembroke Dock, Silcox also occupied a small travel office in Tenby and  a large bus and coach compound near the offices in Pembroke Dock.

Edwards Coaches is the largest family owned coach company in Wales employing over 500 staff and operating 260 vehicles. It currently operates National Express coaches from Haverfordwest departing daily to Cardiff, Heathrow, Gatwick London and various other destinations plus transportation for over 8000 students to school or college each day from bus depots all over South Wales.

It also operates coach holidays for 80,000 passengers a year across the UK and Europe and operates The Edwards’ Red Dragon coach which is the official carrier of the Wales Rugby Team.

Travellers who have booked and pre-paid for a holiday with Silcox may be entitled to a refund and should contact either Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) e-mail: bch@cpt-uk.org or The Confederation of Passenger Holidays UK (CPT) Tel: 020 7240 3131.

Assets from the well-known Telford road haulage contractor ET Rowlands & Sons, which has closed after nearly 60 years in business, are to be sold by auction online.

The firm, known for its striking red livery on its vehicles, provided road transport solutions for UK and continental Europe and operated a modern mixed fleet of rigid vehicles, tractor units and trailers.

Last week’s closure of the company, set up in 1958 by 87-year-old current director Mary Rowland’s father,  saw all 28 jobs made redundant after the company lost a major contract and potential hopes for a pre-pack sale were dashed.

Kelly Burton and Lisa Hogg from Yorkshire-based insolvency specialists Wilson Field were appointed joint administrators of ET Rowlands and Sons on 13 June at a meeting of members and creditors.

Wilson Field, have instructed valuers and asset management consultants Charterfields to dispose of the assets of the company, which operated a warehouse facility in Telford.

Vehicles and other items up for sale includes a fleet of 14 tractor units, seven rigid and flat HGVs by Scania, DAF and MAN, 14 curtainside and three flat back trailers, personalised numberplates including P7 ETR, P12 ETR, R4 ETR, S7 ETR, T2 ETR, V2 ETR, and 6 ETR, plant and office furniture. Other vehicles include a Vauxhall Movano 3.5T Dropside and Ford Transit T350 Panel Van.

Kelly Burton, director and insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field, said: “ET Rowlands & Sons was a well-established family run business that experienced loss of a major contract.

“The director came to Wilson Field for advice but regrettably the company entered administration and has been closed. As a consequence all 28 jobs have been lost. It is always sad to see a long-standing company go out of business with the loss of jobs.”

The online auction is now open and closes Tuesday July 4 from 12 noon. For further details visit www.charterfields.com

A Leeds print company has been bought out of administration saving all 54 jobs.

Print On Solutions Limited was set up in 1999 years ago and went from start-up business to the largest envelope overprinter in the UK with offices in Leeds and Bury, 12 litho presses and six digital presses.

Administrators Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright from Sheffield business turnaround experts Wilson Field were appointed joint administrators on 11 April after the company, based in Century House, Holbeck, ran into financial difficulties following an ongoing dispute relating to a significant contract.

The directors took early advice and the business was sold to new company WEPOS Limited as a going concern saving all 54 employees’ jobs.

Kelly Burton from Wilson Field said:

“Following discussions with the directors, the business was sold to WEPOS Limited as a going concern, safeguarding all 54 employees’ jobs. The new company will offer the same service and standards and will operate under the same management team.”

In 2003 Print On expanded by moving to a 12,000 sq ft, purpose-built factory in Leeds, designed to offer the business a state-of-the-art platform for growth.

The expansion of the group was through strategic acquisitions and mergers of envelope manufacturers. Tower Envelopes in Bury merged with Print On in 2010 and became the Lancashire division.