Administrators handling the affairs of Booth Transport said it was in the process of pursuing a sale of the business and had received “a range of bids” for the Rotherham haulier.
The transport arm of one of the largest independent metal recycling companies in Europe, along with a number of other group businesses, collapsed in January following a sustained period of significant trading challenges, according to administrator Interpath.
The group employed almost 170 staff, but 20 lost their jobs in the haulage division after 36 years of trading.
Interpath said the business had experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, which included rising energy costs: “These market pressures undermined margins and generated a level of cost volatility that the business was unable to absorb,” the administrator said.
“The group was experiencing significant liquidity pressure and was unable to remain within its lending facilities. The position worsened in January 2026 and, due to supplier pressure and negative gross margin on sales to key customers, the group’s forecasts indicated that the position was unsustainable.”
The group’s consolidated financial position for the last few years showed turnover had fallen from £136m in 2023 to £113m last year. It had not made a profit for the last few years and in 2025 it made a pre-tax loss of £4.2m.
Once appointed, Interpath said it commenced a marketing and sale process of the group, which generated “immediate interest”.
It added: “A range of bids has been received with differing scopes and conditions. Following assessment, six bidders were shortlisted based on value, deliverability and alignment with creditor outcomes.
“The sale process is ongoing.”
