Longstanding Australian transport operator Ron Crouch Transport has entered voluntary administration.
The business first served a client in 1978 after being founded by Ron and Beverley Crouch, offering transport and storage solutions.
Over 45 years, Ron Crouch Transport has specialised in general and dangerous goods freight, warehousing and third party logistics.
The sad news was confirmed by executive director Geoff Crouch in a social media post.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have had to take the necessary action of placing Ron Crouch Transport under the control of a voluntary administrator,” he says.
“For the purposes of clarity and to ensure facts are not misrepresented, I stress that this is a voluntary action.”
Crouch is well-known in the industry, having served as managing director of Ron Crouch Transport from 1995 to 2020 before he transitioned to the role of executive director.
MORE OWNERDRIVER TRENDING STORIES:
- Trucking associations slam HVNL reform
- NHVR starts Tasmanian heavy vehicle blitz
- Senator reveals sham contracting focus ahead of ATO meeting
- Long distance driver strikes lead to new EA
- Sitrak confirms new local dealer partner
He also served as a councillor of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) from 2011 while also being chairman from 2017 to 2020.
Finally, he has also been an independent director of Healthy Heads since 2020 and part of the New South Wales Freight and Logistics Advisory Council.
“While I love and have a passion for the Australian transport industry, as we all know it is a tough one that takes no prisoners,” he says.
“Challenging economic conditions, pressure on rates, driver shortage, the never ending burden of government over regulation – all have played their part. Ultimate responsibility, of course though is mine.”
He says the first action for the administrator will be to seek a buyer for the operator that results in the best possible outcome for all staff and creditors.
“In the meantime, with the valued support of my financiers, suppliers, customers and amazing staff, it will be business as usual,” he says.
“May I take this opportunity to sincerely thank and appreciate the many hundreds of team members that have contributed to RCT over the last 47 years, and in particular, the 120 current team members who will be affected the most.”
Subscribe to the weekly Owner//Driver newsletter here.