Gregory Distribution has announced 100 job losses across its operation due to “difficulties” faced by its customers brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company, which is one of the largest privately owned hauliers in the UK, is a member of both Palletline and Palletways and employs 2,700 staff.

It operates from six depots in Exeter, Plymouth, Shepton Mallet, Cullompton, Bristol and Birmingham and is part of a group that includes Hayton Coulthard Transport and ARR Craib Transport.

The wider group has a total of 36 sites across the UK with a combined fleet of over 1,000 trucks and 2,700 staff. It has an annual group turnover of in excess of £251m.

Announcing the job cuts, MD Angela Butler said: “During this unprecedented period of lockdown the majority of the Gregory Distribution business has remained busy although there are some areas which have seen significant reductions in the volume of work.

“Thankfully the majority of the areas which have been adversely affected are expected to recover fully. However, some areas will remain significantly impacted throughout the lockdown and then beyond due to the impact of Covid-19 on the wider economy.

“Unfortunately, it has been necessary to review staff levels within the areas of the business that have declined as a result of difficulties faced by our customers but we have worked very hard to limit the impact on our people and we are now looking at the possibility of up to 100 redundancies spread across a number of locations.

“This has been a very difficult decision and we will endeavour to keep job losses to a minimum, reassigning people where possible and giving them every assistance to find a new job.

“We value all of our people who have been exceptionally loyal and committed. We very much regret the need for any redundancies, but this unprecedented situation has made it necessary to maintain the health of the company and to protect its remaining 2,700 employees for the future.”

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