About Tuffnells
Tuffnells delivers bulky, heavy and awkward goods for UK small and medium businesses. You price, book, track and claim online, and we collect from your door.
The name goes back to Sheffield in 1914. The company that runs it today, TF Trading Limited, started in 2026.
What Tuffnells does today
Price, book, track and claim online
Get a price in seconds, book and pay online, follow every scan, and raise a claim from the consignment if something goes wrong.
Collected from your door
We collect from your door and track every item to theirs.
Bulky, heavy and awkward
From a single box to a 150kg crate, and items up to 6.5m long. The jobs other carriers turn away are the ones we are built for.
Priced on size or weight
Each item is priced on its size or weight, whichever is greater. Fuel is included and you pay per consignment.
Since 1914
The Tuffnells name started with one man, a horse and cart in Sheffield. The business behind it changed hands several times, and the company that runs it today is new.
1914
A horse, a cart and £100
Harold J Tuffnell started the business in Sheffield with a horse and cart and £100.
1951
Tuffnells of Sheffield
Trading as Tuffnells of Sheffield, with 7 vehicles and 25 staff.
1953
Sold to E J Shaw
The business was sold to E J Shaw.
1971
Part of TDG
Tuffnells was acquired by TDG.
1983
15 depots
The business had grown to 15 depots.
1985
The Big Green Parcel Machine
Renamed Tuffnells Parcels Express and known as The Big Green Parcel Machine, with 200 vehicles.
2005
Management buyout
The management bought the business in a £33m buyout.
2010
Over £100m
Turnover passed £100m.
2014
Connect Group
Tuffnells was acquired by Connect Group PLC.
2023
Administration
The previous company, Tuffnells Parcels Express Ltd, went into administration in June 2023.
2026
The name relaunched
The Tuffnells name relaunched under new ownership, run by TF Trading Limited, a separate company.
The 2023 administration and who runs Tuffnells now
Tuffnells Parcels Express Ltd went into administration in June 2023. The Tuffnells name relaunched in 2026 under new ownership and is run by TF Trading Limited, a separate company.
If your query is about the previous company, its consignments, invoices or employment, please contact its administrators. We can't answer for it.
For anything about sending with Tuffnells today, see how to contact us.
Common questions
No. Tuffnells Parcels Express Ltd went into administration in June 2023. The Tuffnells name relaunched in 2026 under new ownership and is run by TF Trading Limited, a separate company. Queries about the previous company, its consignments, invoices or employment go to its administrators, not to us.
TF Trading Limited, registered in England and Wales with company number 17530150. Tuffnells is its trading name.
Bulky, heavy and awkward items, from a single box to a 150kg crate, up to 6.5m long. Each item is priced on its size or weight, whichever is greater, with fuel included, and you see the price before you book.
Yes. Tuffnells is a parcel and courier company for businesses, built for the bulky, heavy and awkward items other parcel companies turn away. We collect from your door, price each item on its size or weight, whichever is greater, and track it to delivery. Single items can be up to 150kg and 6.5m long.
There is no monthly fee or minimum spend: each consignment is paid by card when you book. Tuffnells accounts are earned, not opened. Send regularly? Apply for an account and we'll agree a rate card.
Send your next consignment with Tuffnells
Priced before you book, collected from your door. Sending regularly? Apply for an account for contracted rates.