Kettering firm KNP Logistics Group's sudden collapse upsets drivers

HGV driver Lee Fernley says drivers have been left shocked and angry by the firm's sudden collapse

Drivers for a logistics company which collapsed last month making 730 people redundant said they were given no warning and have been left without pay.

Kettering-based KNP Logistics Group was the parent company of the 158-year-old haulage firm Knights of Old and has blamed a cyber attack for its demise.

"Knights should have explained to us what was going on," said Lee Fernley, of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.

Administrator FRP Advisory Trading said it would "support all affected staff".

Kettering-based hauliers Knights of Old started out with a single horse and cart in1865

The group - established in 2016 when four firms merged - suffered a major ransomware attack in June which affected key systems, processes and financial information.

All but about 170 of the group's employees have been made redundant, with the exception of Derby-based Nelson Distribution, which has been sold.

Some staff will also assist in the winding-down of operations.

HGV driver Mr Fernley, 58, had worked for the group for more than four years through an agency when he received a WhatsApp message from his manager to tell him he had no work that day.

"Then they rang me up and said 'I don't know how to tell you this, but you need to look for another job'," said Mr Fernley.

"Knights should have explained to us what was going on and then we wouldn't be so jarred off about it.

"I'm very angry about it."

Mr Fernley said he does not qualify for any redundancy money, only has three weeks' worth of funds to cover his household bills and is still owed some wages.

Tony Roberts says he and his colleagues went out of their way to help the company and had no prior warning that they were to lose their jobs

Fellow HGV driver Tony Roberts, 55, of Yaxley, near Peterborough, has also been angered by how the news was delivered and is now on medication for high blood pressure.

"We think there's more to it than just the cyber attack," he said.

"The fact that there was no information prior... it's almost as if we've just been discarded, we're no longer of use - go fend for yourselves."

Mr Roberts, who worked for the firm for 18 months, said he was owed five weeks' wages and felt sick when he was told in a phone call he had lost his job.

"You're thinking 'I've got rent coming out, gas, electric, water, council tax' - that's before you even think about buying food."

The logistics and training group traded under the KNP, Knights of Old, Nelson Distribution, Steve Porter Transport and Merlin names.

Joint administrator Raj Mittal said in a statement: "Despite being one of the largest privately-owned logistics groups, KNP fell victim of a ransomware attack earlier this year that caused significant disruption.

"Against a backdrop of challenging market conditions and without being able to secure urgent investment due to the attack, the business was unable to continue.

"We will support all affected staff through this difficult time."

The administrators said they would contact the group's creditors.