A Sad Time for Road Haulage Operators – But Not the End

When you spend your days in a particular industry — training in it, talking to the people in it, solving its problems — you don’t just become knowledgeable. You become part of it. That’s certainly how we feel about road haulage. Whether it’s HGV drivers, shunters, transport managers or operators, there’s a real camaraderie. It’s not just trucks and trailers — it’s people, livelihoods, and a shared sense of pride.

So when we scroll through the latest HGV news and see another familiar name fall into administration, it stings. Last month, it was B Taylors & Sons Transport — a firm with a proud history, trading since 1974. They've now closed their doors with “immediate effect,” citing reduced demand, rising costs, and those now-all-too-familiar “sector-wide issues.”

Empty and lonely!!

They’re not alone.

In just the last two years, we’ve seen the collapse of names like Lloyd Fraser, Knights of Old, Caledonian Logistics, and OPX Logistics, among others. Each one is more than just a business — they’re teams, families, drivers, and dispatchers. They’re people who gave it their all and were ultimately overwhelmed by forces beyond their control.

What’s behind the crisis?

It’s a perfect storm, really. Skyrocketing fuel and operational costs, a persistent driver shortage, Brexit-induced bureaucracy, and fluctuating demand — all hammering margins in an industry where even good times can feel like survival mode.

So… where does this leave the haulage sector?

The road ahead

Let’s not sugar-coat it: this is a hard moment. But if history teaches us anything, it’s that haulage is resilient. It may get knocked down, but it gets back up — albeit a little leaner, a little different.

We may see:

Smaller firms merging to survive. Government support (we can dream) in the form of tax reliefs, grants, or proper recognition of haulage as critical infrastructure. A tech-driven shift — telematics, automation, smarter routing. The rise of greener fleets powered by EVs, HVO, and other clean alternatives

Of course, this green transition, while necessary, won’t be easy. Operators unable to invest may fall behind. But those who can adapt will find new opportunities — and maybe even a stronger footing in a changing landscape.

What can help?

A few things, actually:

Improved fuel duty relief

Incentives for low-emission vehicles

More robust training and recruitment to bring in the next generation of drivers

A final thought

The haulage industry will survive. But it won’t look the same. Expect fewer, stronger, more tech-savvy players. Expect evolution. And yes, expect some hard truths along the way.

But if you’ve ever stood in a yard at 4am, coffee in hand, headlights cutting through the mist as trucks roll out — you’ll know this is not just an industry. It’s a calling. And those don’t disappear quietly.ore we’ve even had a chance to adapt!