Administration watch

A record 494 British haulage businesses entered insolvency in 2023, nearly double the number two years earlier, according to the latest data from the Department for Business and Trade.

It is also estimated that 33% of businesses in the sector are deemed maximum risk, up from 22% 12 months ago.

At Motor Transport we track and report on all the latest company administrations and liquidations in the transport and logistics industry.

Administration Watch provides you with detailed news stories and features, in date order, of every affected operator and manufacturer.

Administration news

Lincolnshire logistics provider collapses

Immingham-based freight firm Chambers and Cook (Eastern) has closed down after losing its biggest customer accounting for the majority of its revenue.

Pre-pack sale of Atlas to construction firm

Grab hire and muck away business Atlas Bulk Carriers has been sold in a pre-pack deal worth over £300,000 after it entered administration due to a downturn in the construction sector.

Latest Administration news

‘Fragile’ sector’s insolvencies having implications beyond haulage

2026-08-13T15:57:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

The number of administrations and insolvencies in haulage this year has prompted renewed concerns over their wider impact, including freight capacity and the resilience of the country’s supply chains.

Haulage directors stripped assets to defraud creditors

2026-08-13T13:39:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

Four people connected to a Stoke-based haulage company stripped out its assets and diverted money to other accounts despite an injunction placed on the business to prevent them doing so.

Norfolk haulage firm staff take payment case to court

2026-08-13T09:31:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

Staff made redundant by a Norfolk haulage company two years ago said they were still trying to get money owed to them – and they’re now taking their fight to court.

Surrey aggregates specialist in administration

2026-08-07T09:29:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

Woking-based muck away and aggregates haulier Atlas Bulk Carriers has become the latest company in the industry to succumb to administration.

Grenfell blamed for collapse of South East construction operator

2026-07-30T11:07:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

One of the biggest construction haulage and plant hire firms in the London area collapsed after building works were halted following the Grenfell Tower fire, resulting in projects being delayed or abandoned.

Administrators appointed to Morecambe’s JM Gorry

2026-07-23T16:00:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

Long-established Lancashire haulier JM Gorry & Son has entered administration after more than 50 years of trading following the death of its MD.

S&B Haulage enters voluntary liquidation months after recruitment drive

2026-07-22T11:18:00+01:00By Carol Millett

Leicestershire operator S&B Haulage has entered voluntary liquidation just three months after advertising for drivers following new contract wins and fleet expansion.

UK Freight Services files notice of intention to appoint administrators

2026-07-20T13:31:00+01:00By Carol Millett

UK Freight Services has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, according to a Companies Court filing.

North West transport firm faces winding up notice

2026-07-16T10:39:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

Another well-established haulage business is facing serious financial problems after being served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs.

Carnoustie haulier closes down after 40 years

2026-07-14T11:32:00+01:00By Chris Tindall

David Murray Transport in Angus announced it had closed its doors for the final time after almost 40 years of trading.

More Administration news

Opinion

Why the AI tools your office buys quietly die

Plenty has been written about the big implementation that disappoints. The system goes in, the project is signed off, and the operation takes a year to catch up with it. That is a real problem and it deserves the attention.

Late payment is an unsecured loan your biggest customer takes without asking

The Commercial Payments Bill addresses a real problem, but it will not help your cashflow this quarter. Harvey Dhillon, ACMA CGMA, explains what the legislation actually proposes, why haulage is structurally exposed, and which operational disciplines deliver results now — before Parliament acts.

The transport office, not the cab: where AI actually earns its keep in road transport

Almost everything written about AI in road transport is about the vehicle. Autonomous braking, telematics, route optimisation that promises to shave miles off a manifest. That work matters. It also has very little to do with where the unpaid hours in a haulage business actually go, which is the office ...

The consignor’s responsibility does not end at the depot gate

Safe transport depends on more than the driver’s checks. Consignors, loaders and operators must share accurate information about the load, vehicle and journey before it leaves the site.

Latest opinions