Derbyshire operator Sprintdeliver has closed down, citing the Covid-19 pandemic and difficulties recruiting HGV drivers as reasons for its collapse.
The company, which was incorporated in 1991, operated out of a base in Glossop and its operator licence authorised a total of 30 lorries and 30 trailers.
Joint administrators at Interpath Advisory were appointed to the firm on 6 September, but they said the business had ceased to trade prior to their appointment.
In a statement, Interpath said: “In recent months, the company had encountered significant financial challenges due both to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on trading and difficulties in attracting and retaining heavy goods vehicle drivers.
“Regrettably, with no prospect of trade resuming, the company’s 35-strong workforce were made redundant following the administrators’ appointment.”
In its last set of accounts, for the year ending 31 March 2020, the company was already acknowledging the effect of the Covid-19 virus: “The directors have assessed the impact on the business and implemented appropriate controls to mitigate the issues arising from the outbreak,” it said.
“The company has continued to operate during the period.
“The full financial and other impacts of Covid-19 on ongoing issues cannot be fully ascertained at present.”
Neil Morley, Interpath joint administrator, said: “Haulage companies up and down the country are currently facing significant challenges, not least an acute shortage of HGV drivers, which in turn is resulting in increased wage costs and higher staff turnover.
“Unfortunately, these challenges proved to be insurmountable for Sprintdeliver, prompting the director to take the difficult decision to place the company into administration.
“Our priority in the coming days is to assist the employees in making claims to the redundancy payments office, while we also seek buyers for the company’s business and assets,” he added.