Haulage recruitment platform raises £300k for Teesside expansion plans

A North East recruitment platform has announced that it has raised £300k to support its Teesside expansion plans.

Avail Technologies, which focuses on haulage operators, has secured the funding from NPIF - Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The funding will support the company’s move to new headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees, as well as its plans to recruit five additional staff this year.

Erin Short, the company’s founder, commented: “The pandemic has had a major impact on supply chains and the haulage industry.

“By improving efficiency and enabling them to recruit drivers remotely, our platform has helped firms to keep going in these uncertain times.

“With continued pressure on costs, it is all the more important for operators to minimise unnecessary expenses like recruitment fees to enable them to maintain profits and improve drivers’ wages.”

Simon Crabtree of Mercia added: “Avail is revolutionising the way haulage firms recruit drivers for short-term contracts.

“The company has already proved the success of its model and won recognition from some of the industry leaders.

“As we emerge from lockdown and freight levels return to normal, this latest funding will help it to expand its customer base and grow its team.”