Latest news with #XLExpress
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trucking company XL Express collapses after 35 years in business
Two hundred jobs are set to be axed as a major trucking company that had been in business for more than three-decades goes bust. Transport and logistic company XL Express had operated along the east coast, delivering freight and packages between Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane. The company had at one point thrived enough to take on a major co-sponsor role for the Brisbane Lions AFL team that included logo rights on the team's uniform. The business went into voluntary administration last Friday, along with 16 other related companies. FTI Consulting's 'Kelly-Anne Trenfield, Joanne Dunn and Ross Blakely have been appointed as administrators. In a statement, FTI Consulting said that they are conducting an urgent assessment, to consider the continued viability of XL Express. 'Where services are unable to be fulfilled, arrangements are being made for customers to collect their goods held in XL Express Group distribution centres,' it said. The closure has sent shockwaves across a number of industries that the company did business with as concerns grow over shipping orders going unfulfilled. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, an insider in the publishing industry said it would impact their business. 'This is a disaster. We have outstanding customer orders, and now they're stuck in limbo.' they said. XL's demise follows just weeks after the collapse of another truck company Don Watson Transport. After running for more than 77 years, that company ceased operating in June. The trucking industry has been under pressure in recent years as global tensions cause an increase in fuel prices, which is combining with labour shortages and increased government regulation. Scott's Refrigerated Logistics also collapsed in 2023, as did by Austrans Container Services in 2024. Managing Partner of WA Insolvency Solutions, Jimmy Trpcevski, said he's seen an increase in insolvency appointments and inquiries from transport operators. 'Businesses are being squeezed from every direction, whether that's rising costs, labour shortages, or compliance pressures. Margins are incredibly thin.' Don Watson Transport covered an estimated 22million kilometres per year and operated depots in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Wodonga.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
National trucking company XL Express collapses after 35 years
A national trucking company has abruptly closed its doors, leaving about 200 jobs at risk and customers waiting for orders. XL Express, a transport and logistics company which has been delivering packages out of its Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne sites for the past 35 years, went into voluntary administration on Friday along with all of its 16 related companies across distribution, logistics and staffing. The company started in Brisbane in 1990 and managed deliveries for homes and businesses. Administrators Kelly-Anne Trenfield, Joanne Dunn and Ross Blakely from FTI Consulting were appointed to the entities under the XL Express Group. They are conducting an 'urgent assessment of the business to consider its continued viability', a statement from FTI Consulting said. 'Where services are unable to be fulfilled, arrangements are being made for customers to collect their goods held in XL Express Group distribution centres.' The administrators will investigate the financial position of companies and provide a report to creditors. The abrupt closure without notice left customers in the lurch with one telling News Corp Australia as it was unfolding 'we've only managed to get one phone call through and the person just said they couldn't speak as to why operations are down'. 'Our Queensland manager drove out to their Brisbane depot today. There are people there, but the gates were sealed and no one answered the buzzer,' the customer said. 'Our Victorian manager got a call from his contact in the company. They said they can't say much, but that we shouldn't expect any service today.' The first meeting of creditors will be held before July 9, FTI Consulting said. XL Express managing director Colin Mallory was the sole director for each of the companies. Some of the entities were owned by Mallarchy, another company Mr Mallory owned. News Corp has contacted the company and Mr Mallory for comment. Sarah Simpkins News reporter Sarah Simpkins is a reporter with the Australian Business Network, based in Mackay, Queensland. Previously, she worked for ABC. She has also covered the health, banking, finance, and printing sectors for various industry publications. You can contact her at DataRoom The British bank is tipped to be days away from releasing sale documents for a business worth billions of dollars with top banks expected to be lining up. DataRoom Brookfield is understood to have opened a data room to bidders for its $3bn-plus sale process of La Trobe Financial.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major trucking company collapses after 35 years in business leaving furious customers in limbo: 'This is a disaster'
Two hundred jobs are set to be axed as a major trucking company that had been in business for more than three-decades goes bust. Transport and logistic company XL Express had operated along the east coast, delivering freight and packages between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The company had at one point thrived enough to take on a major co-sponsor role for the Brisbane Lions AFL team that included logo rights on the team's uniform. The business went into voluntary administration last Friday, along with 16 other related companies. FTI Consulting's 'Kelly-Anne Trenfield, Joanne Dunn and Ross Blakely have been appointed as administrators. In a statement, FTI Consulting said that they are conducting an urgent assessment, to consider the continued viability of XL Express. 'Where services are unable to be fulfilled, arrangements are being made for customers to collect their goods held in XL Express Group distribution centres,' it said. The closure has sent shockwaves across a number of industries that the company did business with as concerns grow over shipping orders going unfulfilled. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, an insider in the publishing industry said it would impact their business. 'This is a disaster. We have outstanding customer orders, and now they're stuck in limbo.' they said. XL's demise follows just weeks after the collapse of another truck company Don Watson Transport. After running for more than 77 years, that company ceased operating in June. The trucking industry has been under pressure in recent years as global tensions cause an increase in fuel prices, which is combinging with labour shortages and increased government regulation. Scott's Refrigerated Logistics also collapsed in 2023, as did by Austrans Container Services in 2024. Managing Partner of WA Insolvency Solutions, Jimmy Trpcevski, said he's seen an increase in insolvency appointments and inquiries from transport operators. 'Businesses are being squeezed from every direction, whether that's rising costs, labour shortages, or compliance pressures. Margins are incredibly thin.' Don Watson Transport covered an estimated 22million kilometres per year and operated depots in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Wodonga. It also held coldstore facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Wodonga. The group's 140 trucks and 170 refrigerated trucks will be sold off, according to Beef Central. Managing director Lyndon Watson confirmed the closure to staff in a memo. 'Due to current economic conditions, the Don Watson Group of companies has made a definite decision to leave the warehousing and road transport industries,' the memo read. 'We understand that this may come as a shock but we have formed the view that is simply no longer possible to continue to operate. 'To be clear, all employees will be impacted by this decision. 'All employees (that are made redundant) will receive all of their entitlements in full in accordance with the terms of relevant legislation and enterprise agreements.' Financial year 2024-2025 was the worst on record for insolvencies, with 14,105 businesses going under, up 26.8 per cent from the last financial year.
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Brisbane news live: Ex-Brisbane Lions sponsor goes bust, leaving 200 workers in limbo
Latest posts Latest posts 7.15am Former Brisbane Lions sponsor goes bust, leaving 200 workers in limbo A logistics company that just four years ago was the Brisbane Lions' major sponsor has gone into voluntary administration, placing about 200 jobs across the country at risk. XL Express, based at Archerfield in Brisbane's south, brought in FTI Consulting to act as administrators last week to determine the best path forward for the company's creditors. One employee, who did not want to be named, said XL Express staff had demanded answers but were met with silence from the company. 'On Tuesday [last week], I received a message from the company saying there would be no service on Wednesday and that we would return to work on Thursday, but unfortunately, that did not happen,' he said. 'On Wednesday afternoon, we received a message from our boss saying the company was declaring bankruptcy, and then wishing us good luck in our new ventures. 'We were all speechless.' 7.10am Hold on to your hats, Breeze-bane More wind is on the way for Brisbane today, with the weather bureau predicting gusts of up to 45km/h this morning. Otherwise, the city is set for a sunny day with a chilly top temperature that won't quite reach 20 degrees. Overnight minimums have plunged again, hovering around the single digits for the rest of the week. Here's the outlook into the weekend and beyond. 7.08am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Plans are under way to test 1200 children for sexually transmitted infections after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with 70 sex offences against eight children in his care, including child rape. Australian houses are priced 30 per cent above fair value, data shows, and the gap won't close without a decade-long plateau in growth. Brisbane is the second-most overvalued city for a house. In sport, if not for the faith of an NRL great and a twist of family fate, Gehamat Shibasaki's State of Origin ambitions may never have eventuated. Upon his arrival at the Townsville Blackhawks, having reached a crossroads in his career, the latest Queensland Maroons bolter had a decision to make. Overseas, wildfires are spreading across parts of Europe as a blistering heatwave triggers fears of thousands of deaths, with 50,000 people evacuated in Turkey and blazes destroying homes in Greece. The United States Senate has passed Donald Trump's marquee tax and spending bill, bringing it close to becoming law, as the president's feud with Elon Musk exploded again over the world's richest man's antipathy towards raising the debt ceiling. Glastonbury Festival revellers have officially packed up their campsites and left Somerset's Worthy Farm but the robust team of volunteers tidying up the site can't clean up the mess after Bob Vylan and Kneecap's incendiary performances. 6.51am The top stories this morning Good morning, welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Wednesday, July 2. Today we can expect a windy, sunny day, with a top temperature of 19 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: The closed-down Hilton Hotel has reopened under new ownership, in the lead-up to major renovations to the CBD site. Now branded InterContinental Brisbane, the hotel has opened to guests. The family of a 63-year-old Brisbane woman say her release from prison on bail is 'bittersweet', claiming the woman's human rights were violated by being unfairly detained for more than two years while awaiting trial for fraud-related offences.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane news live: Ex-Brisbane Lions sponsor goes bust, leaving 200 workers in limbo
Latest posts Latest posts 7.15am Former Brisbane Lions sponsor goes bust, leaving 200 workers in limbo A logistics company that just four years ago was the Brisbane Lions' major sponsor has gone into voluntary administration, placing about 200 jobs across the country at risk. XL Express, based at Archerfield in Brisbane's south, brought in FTI Consulting to act as administrators last week to determine the best path forward for the company's creditors. One employee, who did not want to be named, said XL Express staff had demanded answers but were met with silence from the company. 'On Tuesday [last week], I received a message from the company saying there would be no service on Wednesday and that we would return to work on Thursday, but unfortunately, that did not happen,' he said. 'On Wednesday afternoon, we received a message from our boss saying the company was declaring bankruptcy, and then wishing us good luck in our new ventures. 'We were all speechless.' 7.10am Hold on to your hats, Breeze-bane More wind is on the way for Brisbane today, with the weather bureau predicting gusts of up to 45km/h this morning. Otherwise, the city is set for a sunny day with a chilly top temperature that won't quite reach 20 degrees. Overnight minimums have plunged again, hovering around the single digits for the rest of the week. Here's the outlook into the weekend and beyond. 7.08am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Plans are under way to test 1200 children for sexually transmitted infections after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with 70 sex offences against eight children in his care, including child rape. Australian houses are priced 30 per cent above fair value, data shows, and the gap won't close without a decade-long plateau in growth. Brisbane is the second-most overvalued city for a house. In sport, if not for the faith of an NRL great and a twist of family fate, Gehamat Shibasaki's State of Origin ambitions may never have eventuated. Upon his arrival at the Townsville Blackhawks, having reached a crossroads in his career, the latest Queensland Maroons bolter had a decision to make. Overseas, wildfires are spreading across parts of Europe as a blistering heatwave triggers fears of thousands of deaths, with 50,000 people evacuated in Turkey and blazes destroying homes in Greece. The United States Senate has passed Donald Trump's marquee tax and spending bill, bringing it close to becoming law, as the president's feud with Elon Musk exploded again over the world's richest man's antipathy towards raising the debt ceiling. Glastonbury Festival revellers have officially packed up their campsites and left Somerset's Worthy Farm but the robust team of volunteers tidying up the site can't clean up the mess after Bob Vylan and Kneecap's incendiary performances. 6.51am The top stories this morning Good morning, welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Wednesday, July 2. Today we can expect a windy, sunny day, with a top temperature of 19 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: The closed-down Hilton Hotel has reopened under new ownership, in the lead-up to major renovations to the CBD site. Now branded InterContinental Brisbane, the hotel has opened to guests. The family of a 63-year-old Brisbane woman say her release from prison on bail is 'bittersweet', claiming the woman's human rights were violated by being unfairly detained for more than two years while awaiting trial for fraud-related offences.
