Administrators appointed at Quantum Automotive

Insolvency practitioners SFP have been appointed as administrators to South-West vehicle logistics firm Quantum Automotive (which trades as Quantum Automotive Services).

The appointment of administrators Simon Plant and Daniel Plant of SFP on 31 January comes as the assets of sister-firm Sensible Transport were acquired by Autologic last week after falling into administration with debts of almost £1m.

Autologic commercial director Mark Hindley says of that deal that Sensible Transport is a natural fit. “It’s complementary to our business as they carry out the same activities as us and have a niche within the [rental] fleets market,” he explains.

All of Sensible’s assets have been transferred to Autologic and the firm is in talks with Sensible’s customers. It remains to be seen exactly how Sensible Transport will be integrated into Autologic, but former Sensible MD Roger Bastable will be retained in the business, Hindley adds.

The firm, which employs 67 people and has an annual turnover of approximately £8m, was sold to Autologic by administrators SFP for an undisclosed sum in a deal signed on Wednesday (1 February).

SFP’s Daniel and Simon Plant were appointed joint administrators on 26 January. Plant says Sensible had experienced cashflow difficulties.

Sensible merged with Quantum a year ago. Quantum's contract with Toyota has reverted back to Autologic.