Transport@Nightline-depot-lorry-Jul10

No doubt about it, 2012 was incredibly tough for UK logistics operators. Profits were low, costs were high and obtaining credit to invest remained hard.

The double-dip recession we all feared is in danger of turning into triple-fall and GDP growth was more sluggish than a snail on valium.

Forecasts for growth in 2013 range from 1% by the Bank of England (BoE) to 1.4% by the Confederation of British Industry, with the BoE also predicting that it will be 2015 before national incomes recover to pre-financial crisis levels.

2012 saw its fare share of casualties, and Motortransport.co.uk has been reporting on them all since its launch in March. Here's our pick of some of the most well-known operators that struggled to keep their wheels turning during the last 12 months.