News

Diesel that’s as cheap as chips!

              A micro-plant that can turn old chip fat into diesel fuel is to go under the hammer in an auction in North Lincolnshire next week . . . and is attracting a lot of interest ahead of the sale.

              The high-tech little biodiesel plant, which is just a year old, takes in chip fat or any other type of cooking oil, at one end and delivers vehicle grade diesel fuel at the other.

              The plant has been sent for sale at industrial auctioneers CJM Asset Management in Scunthorpe after being repossessed by a finance company from a firm in the North East.

              CJM director Paul Cooper said: “The fact that the plant has been repossessed does not indicate that it doesn’t work but, as we understand it, they just underestimated the amount of old chip fat that you actually need to make it a viable proposition.”

              “Whilst it’s a surprisingly small modern unit you’re not going to be able to run it on what your mate who runs the local chippy can let you have at the end of the week!”

              “Obviously we have a bit of an advantage in this part of the country with all the food processing factories in Hull and Grimsby and anyone with those sort of connections might be interested. Anyone who is manufacturing battered or breaded products is going to produce a lot of used oil at the end of their processes.”

              “We think it is likely to go for in excess of £5,000 when it goes under the hammer.            

              In all the public auction at CJM’s Auction Centre on Brigg Road in Scunthorpe next Tuesday (July 1st) extends to over 800 lots and includes a wide range of tools, machinery, equipment, computers and office furniture, much of which has come from companies that have closed down.

              Paul said: “There has been a noticeable increase in insolvency instructions in the past few weeks because of the credit crunch and the impact on the property market and consumer spending.”

              “Tuesday’s auction includes equipment from Portraits For You, a photographic business with studios in Hull and Grimsby. They went bankrupt some weeks ago and we’ve been sent all their studio lighting and stands, backcloths, other equipment and even the props that they used.”

              “It is high quality professional kit by people like Bowens and Courtenay, so it should attract interest.”

              Meanwhile we have also been instructed to auction some good quality equipment following the liquidation of the business of the people who had the Prontaprint franchise in Grimsby. As well as presses, there is a lot of nice finishing equipment such as booklet makers, folders, laminators, guillotines and the like.”

The garage equipment section includes the usual tools and pressure washers but also a Huth Exhaust Bender which cost £9,000 just 15 months ago.  It is ideal for companies that manufacture for the classic and performance car markets.

              Star lots in the auction include a 14 tonne jig mill and a radial arm drill from a retained engineering client in Lincoln. Both lots are expected to make £2,000 - £3,000. Meanwhile the most expensive lot in the sale is expected to be a 16 seat 56 plate LDV minibus with just 26,000 miles on the clock, which is being sold off following the close of a local building training company. That’s expected to go for £3,000 - £4,000.  Other vehicles include a ‘55 Land Rover Discovery Commercial, ’04 Chrysler Voyager, ’06 Fiat Ducato and an Iveco Cargo.

The public viewing session for the sale is on Friday 27th June from 11 am to 4pm, Monday 30th June from 1pm to 7pm and from 8.30am on Tuesday morning until the start of the sale at 10 am. Catalogues are available via the firm’s website at www.cjmasset.com or at the auction room.

Further information from Paul Cooper at CJM Asset Management on 01724-334411