News / Knights of Old parent enters administration, but sister firm Nelson is saved

The parent company of the UK’s most recognised haulage name – Knights of Old – last week entered administration after finding itself on the verge of bankruptcy.

KNP Logistics Group, which was formed in 2016 following the merger of Knights of Old with Derby-based Nelson Distribution, and also includes Isle of Wight haulage company Steve Porter Transport, appointed FRP Advisory Trading as its administrator on Friday.

According to its latest annual report filed at Companies House, for 2022, the group has annual revenues of around £100m, employs over 750 staff and boasts 55,000 sq metres of distribution space.

However, employees at Nelson Distribution won’t have to worry about their jobs, after it emerged this morning that the company has been acquired by UK-based transport and distribution firm Kinaxia Logistics.

Kinaxia said Nelson generates around £26m in annual revenue, and the acquisition includes its 117 trucks, premises and customer base.

“All 170 Nelson Distribution staff are transferring to Kinaxia under TUPE arrangements,” Kinaxia said. CEO Simon Hobbs added that Nelson would continue to serve its customer base as normal, as part of the Kinaxia group.

He said: “It’s a good business and an excellent fit for Kinaxia. We share the same values, and Nelson Distribution is based in a good strategic location for our group.

“We are pleased to welcome the entire Nelson workforce and customer base to the Kinaxia family of businesses, and look forward to working with them and continuing to provide their customers with the great service they have been used to.”

According to FRP Advisory Trading, the deal was completed before KNP Group formally entered administration, and added that Nelson Distribution customers “should continue to liaise with your usual points of contact, who have been retained by the purchaser”.

It added that employees of Knights of Old and Steve Porter Transport had been “temporarily retained to assist with the administration process [and] will be making contact with customers as soon as possible”.