Exclusive: Bibby poised to take MRS contracts

Bibby Distribution has taken over two contracts formerly run by cash-strapped Bathgate transport firm MRS Distribution, Roadtransport.com can exclusively reveal.

The Liverpool logistics firm has taken on contracts with packaging manufacturer Board 24, operating from Preston, Lancs, and Coalville, Leics, and with plastics firm Greif UK in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire and Burton-on-Trent, Staffs.

All drivers and transport office staff will transfer across to Bibby under TUPE.

Iain Speak, chief executive at Bibby Distribution, says: "It's an opportunity for us to deliver some value to our own business and deliver some security and continuity to the customers and staff concerned.

"We can bring some scale, some support and a thriving, vibrant business."

A company insider says that MRS Distribution's vehicles will return to the company, with Bibby taking on units from Hill Hire to cover the work until its own vehicles can be redeployed,

He says that staff at the company have been left "shell-shocked" by the news. He adds: "It's a bit of a surprise, it's happened so quickly."

A third contract, with packaging company RPC Containers running from Rushden, Northants, has also been lost by MRS according to sources, although there's no indication of the new logistics supplier.

Roadtransport.com understands that MRS Distribution has now gone into administration with staff from KPMG appointed to the firm.