Southampton-based Drivers Limited is to expand its business in a bid to avoid a common pitfall, the reliance on just a handful of large clients. Managing director Paul Dunning told Recruiter: "This (dependence) is why the likes of [master vendor] de Poel are such a threat."

The company said it aims to boost its business through acquisition. "We tried to open a new branch but we chose the wrong area (of Southampton)," said Dunning. "We want to stay in the South; but it has to be manageable growth. The company doesn't necessarily have to specialise in drivers, it could be in industrial," he added.

Drivers Limited is also considering extending its services into sectors with "good margins".

The firm says it could generate more work if it had more drivers. It will hold a recruitment drive in the city centre in October.