A LARGE haulage firm which has been operating for nearly a century has gone into administration - forcing more than 80 employees into redundancy.

Based at Fall Bank Industrial Estate in Dodworth, John Truswell and Sons registered for administration earlier this week.

Founded in 1940, the family-owned business specialises in a range of services including carrying and delivering agricultural machinery and steel, with satellite locations in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire and as far as Douglas, Lanarkshire, in Scotland.

Over the 84 years it’s been operating, the company has grown into one of the largest of its kind in Barnsley, building a fleet of more than 100 vehicles with upwards of 250 trailers.

However, due to ongoing sector-wide issues - including reduced demand and cost inflation over recent years - the company has fallen on hard times.

Owners partook in an extensive business sale process, but no offers were received.

Due to these factors and the company’s struggling financial position, directors decided that trading could no longer continue.

Operations have already ceased, with 86 employees being made redundant.

Mark Thornton and Simon Girling of BDO - an accounting and business advisory firm - were appointed joint administrators on Monday.

Mark, who is BDO business restructuring partner, said: “Unfavourable market conditions have led to unsustainable commercial losses and, unfortunately, it has not been possible to secure a future for the company.

“As joint administrators, we will be taking the necessary steps to maximise returns for the benefit of all creditors in accordance with our legal duties.”