Published 26th Jun 2023, 16:45 BST

Updated 26th Jun 2023, 17:17 BST

Sheffield-headquartered Tuffnells, one of the UK’s largest delivery firms, was placed into administration on June 12 after it failed to successfully navigate a number of pressures which impacted trading, including Covid, high cost inflation, and an increasingly competitive market.

Shift, which was founded by entrepreneur Jacob Corlett in 2017, struck a deal with administrators at Interpath Advisory to buy Tuffnells' brand, intellectual property and selected assets for an undisclosed amount.

With 33 depots across the UK, privately-owned Tuffnells specialises in the distribution of mixed freight and handling items of irregular dimension and weight throughout the UK.

A logistics technology business has bought parts of Sheffield-headquartered Tuffnells Parcel Express, the delivery company which collapsed earlier this month with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs. Picture by Gerard Binks

For the year ending 31 December 2021, Tuffnells generated revenue of £178.1m, with an operating profit of £2.3m, 24 per cent higher than the previous year.

Shift aims to transform the delivery and logistics industry through its tech-based platform, creating an on-demand delivery marketplace.

Shift offers customers and businesses this lower cost delivery service via smart algorithms that filter through the pre-existing routes of registered independent drivers and fleets of vehicles.

It aims to quickly locates best suited drivers in order to carry out the jobs in the most efficient way.

Mr Corlett, chief executive of Shift, said: “We are delighted to announce today that we have acquired Tuffnells out of administration and we are in the process of incorporating the business into our tech-based logistics platform.

"Tuffnells is one of the UK's most recognisable logistics companies, which provides delivery services to over 4,000 businesses across the UK and this acquisition will significantly increase our logistics coverage across the country.

"The acquisition supports our vision for Shift’s tech-driven

logistics platform to disrupt both consumer and business logistics, through cutting edge AI driven routing decisions and driver management efficiency.

"We are also currently in dialogue with relevant parties to enable us to reopen some depots and provide re-employment opportunities.”

The deal follows Shift’s acquisition of Movinga, a European home-move and relocation firm in April.

Movinga is headquartered in Berlin and has operations across Germany, France, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.

Rick Harrison and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Tuffnells.

Mr Harrison, managing director at Interpath Advisory, said: “We are pleased to have concluded this transaction which secures the future of one of the UK’s longest standing and well-recognised courier brands, as well helping to facilitate an opportunity for the purchaser to generate a number of jobs.

“I would like to to thank all the employees and other stakeholders who have supported us throughout the administration process to date.”

Tuffnells: Shift buys parts of Sheffield delivery company which collapsed with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs