National trucking company XL Express collapses after 35 years

A national trucking company has gone bust, with about 200 employees stood down, customers left waiting for orders and administrators conducting an urgent review into its future.

XL Express has gone into administration after running for 35 years. Image: Facebook

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.

XL Express managing director Colin Mallory is the sole director of each of the 17 associated companies. Image: LinkedIn

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.

XL Express partnered with the Brisbane Lions in 2019. Image: Facebook

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.

Originally published as National trucking company XL Express collapses after 35 years