DX has become the second business to reach an agreement with the administrators of Tuffnells Parcels Express and struck a deal for 15 UK sites previously operated by the delivery firm.

It said it had signed an agreement with Interpath Advisory for an initial licence-to-occupy 13 former Tuffnells sites and agreed terms to purchase the freehold of another site for £1m.

The initial licences are a precursor to entering into direct lease agreements. DX added that it had also agreed terms directly with a landlord for a long lease over a fifteenth site.

DX has hired over 250 employees of Tuffnells since the administrator was appointed on 12 June. It said it had also engaged with former customers of Tuffnells to provide continuity in deliveries and, so far, had taken on over 550 customers on mutually agreeable commercial terms.

Paul Ibbetson, DX Group CEO, said: “We are very pleased to have reached agreement over 15 former Tuffnells sites, including the outright purchase of a freehold site. This exciting development gives us significant additional capacity and will enable us to accelerate growth while also driving further operational efficiencies and maintaining our high service levels, which is critically important.

“We have already taken on a significant number of former Tuffnells employees and look forward to providing further employment opportunities.”

Earlier this week, tech-based firm Shift said it would reopen some of Tuffnells’ 33 depots as well as employing some of its staff after it acquired the company via an asset purchase of its IP, brand and selected assets for an undisclosed amount.