25.08.2013

Funny business

A number of suppliers claim to have been caught out by questionable business practices employed by companies owned by Netherlands based Janssen De Jong Groep. Particularly in Eastern Europe.

Among the complaints, two of the groups wholly owned operations - Remco Romania and Remco Romania Industrial construction - refused to pay Thyssenkrupp Materials Romania and were taken to court under the country’s bankruptcy laws.

Remco Romania also refused to pay access rental company Industrial Access Romania for machines that it had rented for use in Gabon. As a result the contract was terminated but Remco has so far refused to return the equipment, It has also refused to pay for equipment rented in Romania by Remco Romania Industrial Construction.

As a result Industrial Access has filed a winding up order against the group’s operations in Romania along with a criminal complaint - claiming fraud and breach of trust - against the company’s directors as part of its fight to recover €450,000 in losses.

Suppliers also claim that Janssen De Jong Groep has repatriated funds from Romania prior to placing its businesses into voluntary bankruptcy, while continuing to trade from the Netherlands and Poland. Industrial Access in particular has issued a public letter warning other suppliers of the risks of dealing with this large international group.