Felixstowe-based container haulier Deben Transport has acquired fellow container specialist Elite Transport Services out of administration.

Elite Transport Services has been trading under terms of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) however administrators BDO said that they were appointed earlier this month after the loss of a major customer at the struggling container haulier.

Now Deben and Elite will merge in a move that Felixstowe-based Deben said will secure the majority of jobs at Elite as well as giving continuity of service to customers.

Elite Transport MD Gary Bethal will stay with the business as Deben’s general manager for northern operations. Owner David White will retire.

Ivan Chittock, financial director at Deben, said: “This important development for Deben will place the company in a stronger position with more resources, increased depot coverage and a greater customer base.”

He added that the deal will give Deben a fleet of approximately 200 trucks and 300 trailers based out of 10 depots.

It is not the first time Deben has made moves in the market. In May 2012 Deben took on some of the work handled by failed multi-modal operator Catalyst Road and Rail, while back in 2009 it acquired events haulier Redburn Transfer.

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