Southampton’s Harris Transport, which ceased trading last week, has now been placed into administration.

Alexander Kinninmonth and Richard Brewer of RSM Restructuring have been appointed as joint administrators of the Eastleigh-based transport, distribution and warehouse firm.

On 17 August, prior to the appointment of the administrator, 70 staff were made redundant with 15 people retained in order to assist in an orderly wind-down of the warehouse operation.

Kinninmonth, said: "Unfortunately, it was not possible to sell the business as a going concern. As a result, the company was left with little choice but to cease trading and make staff redundant.

"We are assisting affected staff to make their claims to the Redundancy Payments Office and working with customers to allow them to collect goods."

One owner-operator got in touch with MT to express his shock after the business ceased trading but before the administrator was appointed.

Ivan Topps said: “They had such a good reputation and never paid late. They paid well too.”

Topps said he was doing a run for Harris to Tilbury docks when he first heard there was an issue from one of the company’s staff drivers, also at the port.

“Since Christmas they’ve been putting more of their vehicles on to containers [the firm also ran curtainsiders on distribution work]. Container work is easy but everyone’s at it.”

Topps said he is owed just over £10,700 by Harris Transport.

He added that the recent merger of three shipping lines under the Ocean Network Express (ONE) banner had increased pressure on margins in the sector generally.

Interested parties are invited to contact the administrators by emailing james.prior@rsmuk.com

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