JOBS of more than 100 Victorian workers are in jeopardy after a Laverton North transport company went into voluntary administration on Friday.
Wettenhalls Group, based in Dohertys Road, has appointed BDO Chartered Accountants administrators.
Transport Workers Union senior organiser Chris Fennell said Wettenhalls Group representatives contacted the union last Thursday after a division of the company went into administration.
He said administrators were reviewing the company’s books and were on site on Friday.
“If they end up shutting the business, more than 250 transport workers nationally could lose their jobs.”
Mr Fennell said the company had been hit by big retailers driving down the cost of supply. “The company was complaining that they were being squeezed by customers hitting them up for reductions all the time,” he said.
“Everyone’s always looking for a reduction.
“Customers have seen what bigger companies are getting away with and are saying, ‘If you don’t do this, we’ll go elsewhere’.”
Some owner-drivers had not been paid since the end of last year and were owed four weeks’ pay, which could be up to $8000, Mr Fennell said.
The company employs 500 people at 14 sites. Ferrier Hodgson has been appointed receivers and managers to Wettenhalls. The assets and the control of the business are now the responsibility of the receivers and managers.
The union representatives met company officials on Friday afternoon.
BDO has issued a statement saying it would be communicating with all creditors.
A meeting of creditors will be held during the week starting next Monday.
