This morning, Celadon Group (OTC: CGIP) executives told its employees that the company filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 and will shut down the operations of its over-the-road fleet. The official announcement came after a chaotic weekend of credit, customer, and driver issues when word got out about Celadon’s impending Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Employees were instructed to come to a meeting at the corporate headquarters in Indianapolis to be held this morning. But then in the middle of the night, fleet-wide messages went out to drivers’ telematics devices:
Competitors of the troubled carriers started aggressively posting offers for assistance and interest in hiring as news broke over the weekend. For many, a new career will start off on a sad note, but many were optimistic about the opportunities and new beginnings.
For office and professional staff at company headquarters, the struggle will be bigger to find equivalent opportunities. Many of the employees had spent decades working at the company and will be forced to look in other industries. Celadon was the largest trucking company based in Indiana, with no equivalent competitor in the area. As such, finding an employer or group of employers that can absorb the size of the truckload administrative workforce will be difficult.
While Celadon’s demise took many years to play out, its final stages could be described as chaotic.
Last Thursday, December 5, rumors swirled as lenders began repossessing equipment from Celadon. The next day, internal sources at Celadon told FreightWaves about the planned filing. On Friday Celadon also began advising its largest customers to find other transportation providers, but did not inform its own employees about the expected bankruptcy or shutdown. Customer service and driver managers found out from customers and drivers that the company was in trouble on Friday night, but lacked context. While management had informed shipper customers, they failed to inform internal staff.
FreightWaves received notice late Friday from a person not affiliated with the company that FedEx and other accounts had cut the company off. Other shippers, including Walmart, MillerCoors and Conagra also started to cancel pre-planned loads. In some cases, Celadon drop trailers with freight pre-loaded at shipper locations were unloaded and the freight given to other carriers.
When shippers started to cancel loads that were pre-booked late Friday, the jig was up. It became apparent inside of headquarters that the rumors had some teeth to them and questions started to be asked.
Over the weekend, Comdata shut off fuel cards, briefly re-activated them and then cut them again. FreightWaves heard reports from other carriers’ drivers who witnessed Celadon trucks being repossessed and towed away from truck stops.
The lack of communication from company leadership contributed to the confusion over the weekend. Some drivers were apparently told to get out of their trucks; others were told to finish their loads. Meanwhile, rival carriers offered jobs, transportation, and legal advice to stranded Celadon drivers.
Drivers, dispatchers, and office workers traded rumors, expressed their feelings, and asked for help on social media during the weekend.
One Celadon driver who was stuck in Laredo spoke to FreightWaves about his plan to leave the company but preferred not to be identified.
“I loved working for Celadon,” the driver said. “They treated me with respect. I wanted to stick around with Celadon, but I have a wife and kid back in Florida and I got to do what is best for my family.”
This is a developing story. FreightWaves will have more news on the Celadon shutdown on FreightWaves.com and FreightWaves TV. Download the FreightWaves TV app for iPhones or Android. FreightWaves TV is also streaming on AppleTV and Roku.
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Howard Groover
Why is it that when big banks are failing the government throws millions if not billions to bail them out. Even when there was evidence of possible criminal activity, but has no problems letting all of these mid to huge trucking companies with hundreds to thousands of people without jobs and stranded away from home. Shame on the crooks and the government. Guess the unemployment numbers that is supposed to be the best since Trump was born won’t change because everything is just peachy. God bless all of you folks effected by this, the ones before and the ones in the near future. I have not walked in your shoes so I don’t know how you feel but I was a driver of thirty plus years, and we are all brothers and sisters of the TRUCKING industry. From the person answering the phone to the ones opening the cab door, thoughts and prayers are with you.
art
I would not want my tax money rescuing crocked trucking companies.
Celadon mgmt should be sued for every last penny in their bank account.
Doc
If the Feds would like to do something worthwhile, they should pass legislation providing compensation for drivers to return to their home base. You can be sure the executives of Celadon are all going to get paid. And the other trucking companies will be like vultures surrounding a dead carcass in the desert, offering to treat drivers just as bad as every other trucking company.
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Anderson Trucking Service (ATS)
Our hearts go out to all the recently displaced Celadon Drivers, Employees and their families. Yet, when one door closes, another one opens. As you’re considering your next opportunity, we know stability, peace of mind and respect matter. Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) is ready to be your next career home. Look for driving opportunities at Drive4ATS.com and office careers at CareersAtATS.com.
Anthony Jackson
Terrible that a few at the top can damage thousands of lives and only two weeks before Christmas. God bless those affected.
Richard Smith
I heard on the news that the gov’t is after 3 top Celadon executives for pilfering 60 million dollars.
Dragonfly
The two primarily responsible have already been arrested, charged, and I believe, indicted. They are facing decades in prison from what I understand. If this is true, I hope they serve every minute of it. Love to everyone in this mess, a former Celadon DM.
David Huff
No they did not pilfer the $. They misrepresented the value of the assets to the banks and investors and committed fraud.
Scott Noftle
Drivers!
Demand that you get your experience letter / reference letter from management for the full period you worked where, and disclosing any crashes, or “no crashes”
You may need this for insurance at a new driving position, don’t wait until there is no one around to write you the letter!
WTA Global Inc
Bad news for all of us. Can’t imagine how many employees are going to lose their jobs. To all Celadon drivers, you can call us and discuss future employment and your opportunities. (847) 637-5336 ext 2