Car transportation business Richard Lawson Autologistics UK, which last year posted a £40m turnover, has called in administrators following a period of difficult trading conditions.

The company, which has its head office in Dundee and runs operations from 22 UK locations, is continuing to operate with its 500-strong workforce under the supervision of administrators from Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Rune Gisvold, chairman of Richard Lawson Autologistics and chief financial officer of Norwegian parent company, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, says: “We believe this is the most responsible action for the benefit of the company, its customers, staff and creditors. We are confident there will be a future for the company.”

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines stresses the move does not affect its other UK subsidiary, Autocare UK. Neither does it affect Richard Lawson Autologistik in Germany, Richard Lawson Auto Logistic Poland and Richard Lawson Auto Logistica Iberica in Spain.

PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Bruce Cartwright says no redundancies are expected at this stage. “Despite internal restructuring, the company has experienced difficult trading conditions during a prolonged period in which the UK inland transportation market has remained weak. It is proposed that the company will continue to trade during a period of review whilst we explore options with customers and other stakeholders to further reconstruct the company or achieve a sale as a going concern,” he says.