JDL Logistics has entered administration with the loss of 29 jobs.

The Bedford-based operator entered administration on 30 October with Graham Wolloff of Elwell Watchorn & Saxton taking charge of the company’s affairs.

In a statement the administrator said: “JDL Logistics had an average turnover of approximately £3.2million and operated a warehouse and pallet distribution service based in Bedfordshire.

“The warehouse services are fully managed, and include goods in, picking and packing, stock control, goods out, container loading and unloading.

“JDL had a distribution fleet of 15 vehicles, ranging from 3.5 tonne to 44 tonne articulated and operated with a network of transport partners providing nationwide distribution and integrated worldwide import and export.”

Wolloff added that the company had not owned its vehicles, hiring them instead.

Established four years ago, JDL Logistics made a profit in the year to December 2011 and a marginal loss in 2012.  Its directors are Stephen and Lesley O’Neil.

“Losses increased in the current year, due to very tight margins, competition and the loss of a significant warehouse client.

“The company was financially supported by the owners but reached a point at the end of October where the best chance of preserving the business and jobs was via an administration,” said Wolloff.

Leasehold for sale

The administrator is now attempting to sell the leasehold on JDL’s 64,583ft² warehouse, which is being kept open with nine staff supporting its running to facilitate a sale.

“A number of interested parties have visited the premises to discuss the potential purchase of the business and discussions are ongoing which it is hoped will result in the business being given a new lease of life,” he said.

The company was a member of the Fortec pallet network as well as the Palletways network. JDL Logisitcs succeed Bedford-based Jensa (Distribution) in the Fortec pallet network after it went into administration in 2009. Lesley O’Neil was company secretary at Jensa (Distribution).

A spokeswoman for Fortec said: "The area that JDL covered is now being serviced by two existing members: APLE and Linkline Transport."

A spokesman for Palletways said that H&M Distribution - which has sites in Newton Le Willows near St Helens; St Neots, Cambridgeshire and Gloucester - has now set up as a new depot to service the area covered by JDL Logistics.

"Palletways is committed to ensuring that the Bedfordshire area continues to benefit from the same first class level of service going forward. All customers have been informed of the change and it is very much business as usual," he added.

The O’Neil’s declined to comment.

Topics