JUST a week after being made redundant Simon Montgomery and business partner Robert Nurden pooled resources to hitch up new careers.

The Newport pair launched Farm Bank Towing Centre after the firm where they had previously worked closed down. They have opened up in a single unit at Leeway Court on the Leeway Industrial Estate, Newport, and are already exploring plans to expand into adjacent space.

Simon, aged 41, of Newport, who had worked at his previous employer since 1991 has joined forces with fellow former employee father-of-two Robert, aged 38.

Simon said: “It came as a bit of a shock when we were made redundant when the business shut down but we decided to stick with what we knew best and set up this new business.

“We got made redundant on February 28 this year and started Farm Bank Towing on March 7. I’ve had to sell my pride and joy VW Transporter, which I’d been customising for two years and was using for weddings. Rob also had to sell his car to get the money together for this new business.

“We could have sat back and taken the redundancy money and looked for other jobs but we have both built up years of experience in the towing industry and know that there’s still a lot of potential business in the towing and trailer industry. More and more people are looking to stay at home and have holidays in UK which means many are looking to tow their caravans or they may need to fit tow bars on their vehicles or trailers to carry their camping gear.

“We have moved into a small unit at Leeway Court. And after just a few weeks with the way the business is going we’re looking to take the unit next door within next few months so we can extend the services we offer.

“We have overwhelmed with the support we have been given from existing and new customers as well as suppliers. We have worked with some of the biggest and most well known firms in the area in the past and are looking to continue that relationship going forward.

“Being a new business it’s been very hard to get financial backing, so it’s been a bit of a struggle to get equipment that we need but with the help of many suppliers we have been able to acquire the latest vehicle coding tool to programme vehicles. We have also had help and support from major tow bar companies and manufacturers, which is very encouraging.

“Since we opened doors at the beginning of March we haven’t stopped with work which has allowed us to be able to take on ex employee from our previous company and if the business grows as expected we’d be looking to take on more people as and when required.”