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Nearly 200 jobs have been saved after midlands haulage firm Crouch Logistics was sold back to its management after it entered administration.

Administrators at Leonard Curtis said they were appointed to the logistics and courier firm “following a difficult period dealing with increasing costs of labour, driver shortages and the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The haulier was put up for sale last month and a deal was struck with its management on 31 January, saving 198 jobs.

Conrad Beighton, Leonard Curtis administrator, said: “We have worked closely with management and key stakeholders to ensure a business and asset sale could be achieved which has also safeguarded nearly 200 jobs.

“In this sector the employees are fundamental to the successful operation of the business so it was critical that their transfer formed part of any sale.”

Its last available set of accounts showed that turnover had increased by almost £500,000 to £10.5m in the year ending 27 September 2020.

However, pre-tax profit fell by more than half to £159,000.

Leonard Curtis said that by the end of September 2021, the company had increased revenue to £13.1m.

Crouch Logistics holds several O-licences, with its largest authorising 18 HGVs out of a Tamworth operating centre.