AN Aberdeenshire haulage firm founded nearly 60 years ago has entered liquidation, resulting in the loss of seven jobs.
VG Mathers Limited, based in Kintore, ceased trading after what the company described as a sustained period of difficult conditions across the road haulage sector.
VG Mathers was established in 1968 by Vic Mathers. As well as haulage work, the business provided vehicle inspections and repairs.
Colin Mathers, the son of the founder and director of VG Mathers Limited, said it was with “a heavy heart” that the business was closing.
He said: “For years, our team has poured everything into keeping our wheels turning, but we have ultimately been overwhelmed by a relentless series of challenges.
“In this industry, we are used to navigating tough times, but recently it has felt like one thing after another. We are far from alone in this struggle, with around 400 UK road haulage and freight companies closing in 2025 alone.
“We have faced an unprecedented squeeze from every angle – skyrocketing fuel costs, soaring insurance premiums, mounting compliance burdens and the rising costs involved in vehicle maintenance.”
Mathers said the firm had tried to absorb those costs, but said the cumulative impact had restricted cash flow and made it impossible to continue trading.
He added: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to our loyal staff, our dedicated drivers and our wonderful clients who stood by us. This is a very difficult outcome for us and our team, but the economic reality left us with no other choice.”
Michael Reid, MHA’s head of insolvency services in Scotland, has been appointed liquidator. He will oversee the winding-up process from the firm’s Aberdeen office.
Reid said: “VG Mathers is a further example of a business facing significant pressures, unfortunately resulting in job losses. Our priority is to work with stakeholders to manage the process as smoothly as possible.”
The company said rising fuel prices, insurance costs, compliance requirements and vehicle-maintenance bills had put growing pressure on its finances.
