California-based fleet shuts down

Anderson, CA-based Robbie Cattanach Trucking said that soaring workers' compensation costs, expensive liability insurance, high fuel costs and other expenses forced it to go out of business last week. The 21-year-old company had a fleet of about 135 trucks that transported construction and related materials in seven Western states. Much of the fleet has either been sold or returned to companies that leased the trucks to the outfit. Jed Gibson, the firm's general operations manager, told The Record Searchlight that about 160 people were employed by Robbie Cattanach. "We have extremely heavy hearts for our employees and those businesses that have been supporters of ours," said Gibson, who is also losing his job. Gibson said the company's workers' compensation premiums have risen from $360,000 in 2000 to a projected $1.25 million for next year. Its liability costs had risen 70% during the past two years and its health insurance has increased by 80%.