An unwelcome return

At a time when we are desperate to retain industry experience, the return of those involved in a company failure is often welcome. However, the speed of their return raises question marks.

Regardless of manufacturer, brand, or country of origin, demolition and construction equipment goes wrong.  It is what happens when it goes wrong that matters.  If the manufacturer or local dealer holds up their hand, accepts responsibility and leaps into action to resolve the issue and get the machine back to work, that equipment failure might prove to be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.  However, if the manufacturer or dealer shrugs and says “not my problem”, it could spell the end of the relationship, possibly for years or maybe even permanently

Like equipment, companies fail; whether through mismanagement, adverse economic conditions, or just sheer bad luck.  It is what happens when a company fails that matters.

If those behind the company hold up their hands, accept responsibility and set out to repay their supply chain in some way, they should rightly be given the time and support to do so.  I was personally owed a few thousand pounds by a UK demolition contractor that collapsed.  It took more than a year for him to do so and it came in dribs and drabs, but the company owner paid me back every penny I was owed.  I consider him a friend to this very day.

All too often, however, that is not the way.  Instead of thinking how they might repay those they owe money, the first thought of some (many) is (a) where can I stash my assets and (b) how quickly can I come back under a new name.