Eddie Stobart’s losses ballooned to £24.9m in 2025, up from a pre-tax shortfall of just £883,000 in the previous year, as lower customer volumes, increased group recharges and higher fleet hire costs took their toll.
According to the haulier’s latest annual results for the year to 31 December 2025, revenue fell marginally by 2.4% to £543.4m, down from £556.8m in 2024.
However, the company’s losses spiralled during the year, with its operating loss coming in at £12.6m, compared to an operating profit of £12.8m in 2024 and its pre-tax loss increasing to £24.9m, compared to a loss of just £883,000 the previous year.
In its strategic report to the results, the company said revenue had declined by £13.4m following a downturn in volumes from existing customers.
Turning to its pre-tax loss the company cited “significant” increases in recharges from within its parent group, alongside higher fleet hire costs, as the main factors behind the deterioration in operating performance.
Eddie Stobart said it had continued to focus on controlling central costs and overheads, improving efficiency across its transport network and reviewing its customer base to ensure that customers and sectors remained balanced and profitable.
The business, which provides road, rail and warehousing services to UK customers, is part of Culina Group, which in turn sits within the international Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller group.
The report said challenging market conditions continued to affect the business, although the directors remained satisfied with the level of service provided to customers.
They also described the company as well funded and financially robust, expressing confidence in its ability to manage the prevailing economic conditions.
Cash and cash equivalents moved from a positive balance of £8m at the end of 2024 to an overdraft position of £4.1m at the end of 2025.
During the year, Eddie Stobart acquired property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and finance lease receivables with a combined carrying value of £109.4m from fellow Culina Group company Culina Asset Management. Associated lease liabilities were also acquired, with the transaction funded through existing facilities.
Net assets fell to £19.9m at the year end, from £36.8m a year earlier.
The company said its priorities remained cost control, operational efficiency and maintaining a customer mix capable of supporting sustainable profitability.
