Middlesbrough’s primary courier service, Rapid Response Transport UK, has entered administration, marking a significant shift in the local logistics landscape.
- The company, operational for over two decades, had been a key player offering diverse delivery services, from sameday to European logistics.
- Insolvency specialists Northpoint Associates were appointed to handle the administration, as announced on June 6.
- The firm held a robust international operator licence, managing a fleet of 30 HGVs and 15 trailers across Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees.
- A reduction in workforce was noted, with staff numbers dropping from 70 to 50 by February 2023.
In a significant development, Rapid Response Transport UK, Middlesbrough’s foremost courier and storage firm, has entered administration. This pivotal event has sparked interest across the logistics sector, given the company’s influential role in the industry over the past twenty years. Specialising in a range of delivery services, including sameday, overnight, refrigeration, and European deliveries, Rapid Response Transport UK had become synonymous with reliability and efficiency, catering to a wide array of logistical needs.
The administration proceedings have been entrusted to Northpoint Associates, a move officially confirmed on 6 June. This comes after a prolonged period of operational activity where the company managed a considerable fleet authorised under an international operator licence. This licence accounted for 30 heavy goods vehicles and 15 trailers operating from strategic bases situated in Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees.
Rapid Response Transport UK was particularly lauded for its urgent sameday delivery promise, a service designed to prioritise client consignments with dedicated vehicles. Its fleet comprised approximately 60 diverse vehicles, including vans, pick-ups, 7.5-tonne curtainsiders, and temperature-controlled chiller and freezer wagons, all tailored to meet specific delivery requirements.
Despite the scale of operations, as recorded in the financial year ending 28 February 2023, the company had streamlined its workforce significantly, reducing its employee count to 50 from a previous 70 in the year 2022. This reduction in staffing is reflective of broader operational changes and possibly preemptive measures in response to financial pressures.
The extent and impact of these administrative procedures are yet to be fully realised, with Northpoint Associates remaining unavailable for immediate commentary at the time of reporting. This has left the logistics community and local business stakeholders eager to understand the potential implications for ongoing and future logistical engagements in the area.
Rapid Response Transport UK’s administration highlights ongoing challenges within the logistics sector.
