UK Truck and Plant, which specialised in truck repairs and body builds, has been sold to motor repair firm Wheels in Motion, after calling in the administrators earlier this month, following the loss of a major contract.
The family-run business, which operates from a seven acre site in Bedford, was launched in 2018 and specialised in commercial vehicle repair and maintenance, and DVSA-approved MOT testing for HGVs, trailers, light commercials, and plant machinery. It also offered in-house fabrication, body builds, body swaps, and engine rebuilds.
The business had won a number of accolades over recent years, including the Institute of the Motor Industry Presidents Award 2023 for its environmental, sustainability and green innovation in learning and SME News’ Best Commercial Fleet Support Company in the East of England in 2024.
According to the administrator’s report, UK Truck & Plant traded profitably until July 2025 when a client contract went up for re-tender. .
It states: “The company had all the equipment and staff in place to continue with this contract. However, upon re-tender the company were put onto a tender framework with other suppliers.
“This had a direct impact of the company’s cashflows. This resulted in the company being over staffed and equipment sitting unused which had monthly finance commitments.”
Despite making a number of cost cuts, including redundancies and a move to smaller premises, as well as pitching for new business, the company fell into arrears with HM Revenue & Customs and its suppliers.
On 9 April UK Truck & Plant called in the administrators, appointing Andrew Ryder of Co Antrim-based insolvency practioner JT Maxwell, who gave the green light to the company’s pre-pack sale to Wheels in Motion Group, which is owned by former directors of UK Truck & Plant Group.
The report added that the pre-pack sale was “the only viable option available to enable a sale of the business as a going concern,preserve the employment of the staff, preserve the goodwill of the business, and provide a better return to the creditors of the company than alternative insolvency procedures.”
