Private equity-owned transport firm close to appointing administrators

A £4m Loughborough transport business could be on the verge of slipping into administration.

Eclipse Distribution Solutions, which is owned by private equity firm Winch & Co, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

When Winch bought the firm in October 2021, Eclispe operated over 40 lorries, as well as sprinters, vans and other transport vehicles.

In August this year, Winch invested £550,000 to see off threats such as a driver shortage, fuel price hike and the cost of living crisis brought on by disrupted supply chains because of the war in Ukraine.

At the time, the management teams of both Winch & Co and Eclipse Distribution admitted the transition hadn’t been as smooth as other acquisitions.

In August, Debra Hart, chief commercial officer at Winch & Co said: “Eclipse has had its challenges, but with the new investment approved by head office, we have already been able to stabilise the firm.

“It has also allowed us to think about growth and better integration with our other transport businesses.”

TheBusinessDesk.com has contacted Winch & Co for comment but had received no reply as we went to press.