Clugston Distribution Services has filed papers in court notifying its intention to appoint an administrator.
The notice said its legal representative was law firm Freeths. Filing the NOI form triggers an immediate temporary legal moratorium that last for 10 working days and acts as a legal shield from creditors.
Clugston is a leading transport service provider and one of the UK’s most recognised road tanker and general distribution companies.
It provides general freight, full and part loads, and tanker transport for the bulk powder and bulk fuel industries.
The development came after its most recent financial results showed that although it increased turnover to £22m last year, it made a pre-tax loss of £559,000.
“The direct costs of operating the business in a highly competitive market increased by 7% resulting in a gross margin reduction from 16.26% to 13.10%,” the company said in a business review of its accounts.
“A significant part of the loss was a result of establishing a new haulage division in the year in the south of England, which is now operating profitably.”
The company employed 179 staff in 2025, with 129 in distribution.
The company had not responded as we went to press.
