Receiver closes C. Bean Transport trucking operation

The court-appointed company operating C. Bean Transport has decided to close the trucking operations and continue to operate the warehouse operation.

Ron Fuller, a spokesman for Bell Receivers, issued this statement late Tuesday: “We continue to work diligently for what is best for the employees and their families, the creditors, and the investors. Effective today( Wednesday /March 17th) the company has ceased its over the road operations. The company will continue to operate the Fort Smith, Arkansas warehouse facility.  As the receiver I will be issuing additional statements as needed. I understand how difficult this has been for everyone associated with the company and we sincerely appreciate the cooperation and understanding that has been shown by everyone involved.”

Fuller did not have information available on the number of jobs lost as a result of closing the trucking operation.

The company once had a large fleet and warehousing operation in Fort Smith — at the corner of Jenny Lind and Cavanaugh Roads — with several hundred trucks and employees. But the national freight recession that began in October 2006 has resulted in more than 6,800 trucking company failures between 2007-2009.

U.S. District Judge Robert T. Dawson placed the transport segment of Amity-based C. Bean into receivership on Feb. 22. Richard Bell, owner of Little Rock-based Bell Receivers, was handed the task by Dawson to manage the company through the default of a $5.6 million loan with South Bend, Ind.-based 1st Source Bank — a large regional bank with more than $4.5 billion in assets.