Vehicles and equipment from Aylesford Newsprint have been put up for auction as asset stripping of the paper mill gets underway.

Items like forklift trucks, loading ramps and industrial guillotines will go under the hammer with property and asset consultants ES Group.

The lots will be sold on May 19 and 20, in a move described as “criminal” by former staff.

The Larkfield-based company’s two large paper machines will be sold privately by agents acting for administrators KPMG, although an advert for them can be seen online with the auctioneers.

“It’s weird seeing the stuff sold. I’m still gutted about it all like everyone else but what can we do about it?” - Christopher Shade

A handful of the 65 staff who remained at the firm have left the company since the process of selling assets began.

The company fell into administration on February 24, making 233 people immediately redundant.

The administrators are in discussions with property consultants regarding the land.

They will issue their proposals by April 21 with a progress report for the site by August 24, six months after the firm went into administration.

KPMG spokesman Alastair Henry said the site is “subject to a longer term strategy and is not currently being marketed”.

He added: “The administrators do not expect a restart of paper production.”

Potential bidders are advised to visit the site, where they must wear protective equipment.

Other items for sale include a JCB tractor, Toyota towing tractor and its semi-automated paper sorting line, as well as cleaning equipment like floor sweepers and pressure washers.

Christopher Shade was a reel run operator at Ayelsford Newsprint, where he worked for 12 years.

He said: “I think it’s criminal what they’ve done. We have been kicked in the teeth.

“It’s weird seeing the stuff sold. I’m still gutted about it all like everyone else but what can we do about it?”

Winning bidders must collect their lots between May 26 and June 5.

To see the auction, visit www.es-group.com.

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