Consolidation in the distribution and warehousing recruitment sector is taking place, DriveLink managing director Ian Holford told Recruiter last week.

He said increased legislation, including the Working Time Directive, drivers’ hours’ regulations and the introduction of digital tachographs, is hitting agencies in the sector hard. “All the legislation being thrown at the sector and the tightening up of the buying of recruitment, means more and more companies are being put up for sale,” Holford said. “Barely a day goes past when I’m not approached to buy a company.”

DriveLink, a subsidiary of the Empresaria Group, itself acquired Bournemouth-based More Driving in July last year. The company supplies van and truck drivers on an ad-hoc basis, and Holford has plans to expand this business across the UK.

DriveLink is also planning a strategic partnership with sister company MPV Search & Selection to enable it to provide a permanent staffing service to customers. The service is expected to be up and running by September.