Williams Shipping acquires GIF Transport and Logistics

Date: August 8, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

One of the UK’s leading marine and logistics services provider, Williams Shipping, has announced the purchase of established provider of supply chain services GIF Transport and Logistics, as well as acquiring a significant parcel of land in Dyce, Aberdeen, marking a major step forward in the company’s long-term growth strategy. This new chapter brings together two trusted names in the transport and logistics industry. Leadership teams at both Williams Shipping and GIF have stated that this strategic partnership is focused on long-term collaboration and customer service excellence.

The day-to-day operations at GIF will remain unchanged. The company will continue to trade under the GIF Transport and Logistics name, with existing teams and management remaining in place to ensure continuity and reliability for all customers.

Jonathan Williams, Managing Director, Williams Shipping Logistics, commented:

“Our transport team have already built up a solid working relationship with GIF as a supplier and a customer This new partnership is built on shared values and a joint commitment to delivering first-class service. By combining the strengths of both companies, we’re creating a stronger foundation for future growth while ensuring that customers continue to receive the high standards they expect.”

GIF’s management team has welcomed the partnership, viewing it as a significant opportunity to strengthen the business while continuing to support their loyal customer base.

Brian Pirie, Director, GIF Transport and Logistics, also stated:

“We’re excited to join forces with Williams Shipping. This allows us to maintain the exceptional service our customers rely on, while also securing the long-term growth and sustainability of the company. Together, Williams Shipping and GIF will collaborate closely to build on their strong reputations and deliver enhanced value to customers across the UK logistics sector.”

In addition to the purchase of GIF, and in-line with their commitment of expanding its presence in key UK locations, Williams Shipping has acquired a new site in Dyce which will allow it to further enhance services across its business divisions.

The newly acquired site will become a critical operations hub for several of the company’s core services, including:

• GIF Transport and Logistics headquarters – offering valuable operational and warehousing space in a high-demand industrial area
• Williams Marine Lubricants – support storage, distribution, and customer service operations for its rapidly growing lubricants division
• Willbox, Williams Shipping’s specialist container business – the site will enhance container sales and hire in northeast Scotland

Jonathan Williams further commented:

“This land acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategic vision to grow sustainably while supporting the industries we serve. Aberdeen remains a vibrant marine and logistics hub with a wealth of skills and knowledge across many key sectors. The region is at the forefront of the energy transition and home to Europe’s leading marine support centres for the offshore energy industry. This investment will help us better serve Williams Shipping and GIF customers and provide space and services that support the wider logistics community.”

GIF will continue to run as its own entity with the same name, but now as a subsidiary of Williams Shipping. The Aberdeen site is expected to become operational later this year, with phased development plans already underway.

In separate news, marine tech firm RAD Propulsion has finished a six-week trial which saw it provide electric outboard motors to Williams Shipping.

RAD equipped a custom micro freight delivery vessel with an autonomous control system and twin RAD 40 electric outboards – a quieter, greener alternative to traditional options.

Compared to typical road transport, the vessel achieved nearly a fourfold reduction in CO₂ emissions while transporting both cargo and crew on the trial route between Empress Dock at the Port of Southampton and Marchwood.

Earlier this year, RAD Propulsion also partnered with renewable energy firm Seavolt to help power electric boats across Australia and the Pacific, as well as marine navigation business Savvy Navvy to integrate its smart range technology into RAD’s boat drives.

CLdN chooses Liebherr for Killingholme crane investment

Date: August 8, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

CLdN has announced that it has chosen Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. as the provider of the five new rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for its Killingholme terminal in the UK. The purchase is part of the previously announced investment that will lead to a significant enhancement of cargo handling capabilities at the terminal, and which will cater for projected volume growth on CLdN’s North Sea connections between Killingholme and CLdN’s terminals in Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

The electric RTGs cranes will replace part of CLdN’s existing fleet of diesel-powered reach stacker vehicles, leading to further improvements in operational efficiency, stacking capacity and a reduced carbon footprint. Each crane has a lift capacity of 41 tonnes under spreader, a gantry span of close to 35 metres and can stack containers five high (18 metres).

The construction of the cranes is already underway at Liebherr’s factory in Killarney in the Republic of Ireland. Assembly and commissioning of the cranes will take place in early 2026. The civil works in Killingholme to prepare the RTG area are already well advanced.

Registration now open for RTX Scotland 2025

Date: August 11, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Registration is officially now open for RTX Scotland 2025, the all-new tradeshow dedicated to the commercial vehicle and road transport sector north of the border.

Taking place indoors at Glasgow’s SEC on 19–20 November, the event promises a packed two days of exhibits, expert talks, and networking—completely free for visitors.

It has been developed by the organisers of the original Road Transport Expo held each summer at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. This latest edition will follow the same ‘all about the truck’ format, tailored specifically to the needs and challenges of fleet operators in Scotland.

The show has already attracted strong backing from across the industry and visitors will be able to explore vehicle models from leading marques including DAF, Daimler UK, Isuzu, Iveco, MAN, Renault Trucks, Terberg and Volvo.

You will also discover a 5,000ft² indoor showcase of the latest trailers, bodybuilders, tyres, telematics, safety systems and fleet services, featuring major manufacturers like Binotto, Boweld, Brigade Electronics, MAHA, Michelin, MV Commercials, Palfinger, Schmitz Cargobull, Totalkare, Thompsons and Whale Tankers, to name but a few.

With engaging stand hospitality and a relaxed, friendly environment, RTX Scotland is designed to help hauliers do business and make new connections.

A key highlight will be the Knowledge Zone, where expert panels and speakers will discuss hot- topics such as fleet decarbonisation, vehicle compliance and road safety. Visitors will be able to interact with sessions live at the show and gain practical insights from fellow operators and sector specialists.

Hayley Tayler, RTX head of content, said:

“We’re shaping the seminar programme around what matters most to the industry, so if you have any speaker ideas or key topics, we’d love to hear from you.”

Vic Bunby, RTX show director, added:

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for HGV operators across Scotland to come together, share ideas, and see what’s new in the industry—all in one place. “It’s also a great space to network informally—whether over coffee, at a stand, or during the evening drinks reception—creating the kind of face to-face conversations that often lead to long-term business relationships.”

www.roadtransportexpo.co.uk/Scotland

Air Cargo Community Advisory Body gathers for second meeting

Date: August 11, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Following its successful launch earlier this year, the Air Cargo Community Advisory Body  — established by the British International Freight Association (BIFA) — held its second meeting recently, bringing together key stakeholders from across the airfreight and logistics sector to continue to help shape the future of cargo operations at Heathrow Airport.

The latest session built on the momentum of the inaugural meeting held in May, which saw over 75 representatives — including freight forwarders, airlines, Heathrow Airport Ltd, HMRC, and ground handlers — convene at the BT Tower to initiate a new phase of collaboration focused on the airport’s ambitious cargo estate redevelopment plans.

The latest meeting centred on efforts to improve Heathrow’s landside efficiency. Attendees received updates from Heathrow Airport Ltd on ongoing developments at the airport, and from BT/CCS-UK regarding the selection and implementation of a new slot booking system for landside freight movements.

After reviewing several options, the Heathrow cargo community chose BT’s CCS-UK Advanced Information System (AIS) as the preferred solution. Magdalena Deitsche, senior cargo manager at Heathrow Airport Ltd, said the system’s operational flexibility, integration with existing customs infrastructure, and BT’s strong understanding of the Heathrow landscape made it a standout choice.

“With AIS, the community will be better equipped to manage landside traffic flows, reduce wait times, and improve the efficiency of cargo drop-offs and collections — especially critical for time-sensitive freight,” she explained.

The meeting also highlighted a new trial of a dedicated truck parking facility to better accommodate long-distance arrivals. This facility offers a safe holding area outside the main cargo estate and includes welfare amenities for drivers.

Claudia Carley, product and Customs specialist at BT, presented an overview of how AIS will be deployed in the short term, including in preparation for the peak Christmas season. She detailed stakeholder engagement progress and outlined plans for measurable improvements in key operational areas such as:

• Congestion metrics
• Slot booking and virtual queuing
• Reception and call-forward processes
• Enhanced driver communication
• Predictive insights and operational visibility

Carley emphasised the importance of expanding AIS adoption, gathering data on congestion points, and rolling out early case studies. She also noted that community feedback will shape upcoming AIS enhancements, including updates to the driver app and future integrations aligned with the cargo estate’s redevelopment.

The session concluded with a dynamic group exercise where delegates explored operational risks and challenges related to slot booking implementation from the perspectives of freight forwarders, airlines, transit shed operators, and hauliers.

The Air Cargo Community Advisory Body was formed by BIFA to replace several functions of the former CCS-UK User Group and ensure the freight community has a strong voice in shaping the future of  cargo operations.

Steve Parker, director general of BIFA, reaffirmed the group’s central purpose:

“We established this body to give BIFA members and the wider community a platform to work directly with CCS-UK and other key stakeholders and play a key role in identifying and solving the issues that matter most. That mission remains firmly in place.”

Andy Cooke, secretariat of the Advisory Body, added:

“Through this forum, stakeholders can drive the adoption of best practices, help shape modern freight systems, and support the transformation of the cargo estate. The progress we’ve seen so far demonstrates the strength of partnership across the community.”

Industry participants interested in contributing to the Advisory Body’s work are encouraged to contact Andy Cooke at a.cooke@bifa.org

If you would like to find out more and sign up to AIS, please contact Claudia Carley at claudia.carley@bt.com

The next advisory body meeting is planned for November. Details, including an agenda, will be announced soon.

Raising the bar on cyber resilience: logistics software firm responds to rising threat levels

Date: August 12, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

As the logistics industry becomes increasingly reliant on real-time data and interconnected systems, sector-wide concern is growing over cybersecurity vulnerabilities—and with good reason. Recent high-profile attacks on companies such as Knights of Old, M&S, and the Co-op have highlighted how supply chains are being actively targeted.

With UK Government figures showing that 43% of businesses suffered a cyber breach in the past year—and nearly 1 in 5 falling victim to cybercrime—logistics operators are being urged to reassess the resilience of their digital infrastructure.

Firms supplying transport management systems are responding. One such provider, Suffolk and Exeter-based Fargo Systems, has made Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality available across all deployments of its transport software, enhancing both user experience and access control. This is complemented by quarterly penetration testing and cloud-based hosting built on Microsoft Azure.

“Cyber security is no longer an IT add-on—it’s a core part of business continuity,” says Jim Slade, Customer Success Director at Fargo Systems.

“For companies still self-hosting their software, it’s worth asking whether they can match the frequency of testing, visibility, and control that hosted environments now offer.”

Security features increasingly seen as best practice across logistics software environments include:

• A proactive approach to changes in security standards
• Regular third-party penetration testing
• Single Sign-On (SSO) for simplified and secure user access
• Real-time threat detection tools
• Integration with Windows Active Directory for centralised user management
• A dedicated Infrastructure Engineer
• Hosting on robust platforms such as Microsoft Azure

Steve Collins, Managing Director at Fargo Systems, adds:

“The systems that manage road, rail, and container transport are mission-critical. Protecting them means going beyond antivirus software and adopting layered, proactive defences.”

Darren Walne, Managing Director at Felixstowe-based 3PL, added:

“We’ve been committed to Fargo’s hosted solutions from the very beginning. As a long-term partner, we’ve worked with the system for many years—and we haven’t looked back. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s reassuring to know that industry-leading tools and regularly tested solutions are safeguarding our transport operations. It’s one less thing for our team to worry about—and a vital part of protecting both our customers and our reputation.”

With the logistics sector remaining a high-value target for cyber attackers, industry leaders are increasingly viewing secure cloud migration not as an upgrade, but as a necessity.

Samskip joins DCSA+ to shape the future of digital logistics

Date: August 12, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Samskip has officially joined the DCSA+ partnership program, reinforcing its commitment to digital innovation, interoperability, and the evolution of global logistics standards.

By becoming part of this influential network, Samskip takes a leading role in shaping the digital frameworks that will power tomorrow’s logistics, frameworks built on openness, collaboration, and efficiency.

“We believe the future of logistics relies not just on smart systems, but on a shared digital language,” said Ragnar Thor Ragnarsson, Chief Information Officer at Samskip. “By joining the DCSA+ Partner Program, we have the opportunity to help shape future industry standards that enhance not only our own multimodal operations but also the entire logistics ecosystem. Stronger standards lead to greater reliability, efficiency, and service quality for everyone.”

As a multimodal pioneer operating across shortsea, rail, road, and inland waterways, Samskip brings a unique perspective to the DCSA+ community. Its participation bridges the gap between ocean container carriers and inland transport operators, contributing critical insight into aligning systems, reducing fragmentation, and streamlining data flow across complex supply chains.

The DCSA+ program was launched to accelerate the adoption of open digital standards by including all key logistics stakeholders from ports and tech providers to shortsea operators and forwarders. It aims to:

• Connect industry partners with proven standards,
• Accelerate real-world implementation,
• and Contribute to the evolution of new, practical solutions.

Samskip’s involvement ensures that multimodal inland transport, often overlooked in ocean-focused frameworks, has a seat at the table in shaping a truly end-to-end digital transformation. Through the collaboration, Samskip gains early access to API (application programming interface) and messaging standards, increased interoperability with customers and partners, and the opportunity to streamline internal processes while helping push the entire industry forward. This initiative complements Samskip’s ongoing collaboration with SMDG, further reinforcing its dedication to modernizing digital communication through both traditional EDIFACT formats and cutting-edge APIs.

“Through DCSA+ and SMDG, we are doubling down on our commitment to reliable, visible, and simplified transport while showing what’s possible when we listen, align, and innovate together,” added Ragnarsson.

Employment boost at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Date: August 13, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) has reported a significant rise in job numbers following recent growth in e-commerce industry activity.  

One hundred and fifty new jobs have been created at PIK, with this number forecasted to rise to 200 by the end of the summer.

“This is a significant increase in headcount at the airport as we expand our services, and is great news for the Airport and the Ayrshire economy,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“It has been a busy few months as we have onboarded new staff for these services.

“The recent addition of scheduled daily e-commerce flights between China and Prestwick means we can play a greater role in Scottish salmon and whisky exports direct from Scotland to China, and I am confident that this will lead to further employment opportunities.”  

To mark this achievement, Alan Gemmell, Member of Parliament (MP), Central Ayrshire, Scotland, UK, recently visited the Airport to see first-hand the new equipment and handling operations ongoing at the airport, and was very impressed with the growth achieved and he is committed to support the airport in its growth plans.  

“It was brilliant to visit the logistics hub at Prestwick Airport and hear about the new e-commerce contracts with two Chinese flag carriers,” said Gemmell.

“I was impressed to learn the team process and offload up to 2 days faster than any other UK airport and now have 150 e-commerce staff.  

“The Airport continues to go from strength to strength – I look forward to supporting Ian and the team in any way I can.”

Wincanton signs new three-year fulfilment partnership with Futon Company

Date: August 13, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Wincanton has announced a new three-year partnership with Futon Company, the go-to brand for space-saving furniture and small-space living solutions.

With 24 stores across the UK and a growing online presence, Futon Company has carved out a niche in the home furnishings market by specialising in compact, stylish furniture for urban lifestyles. As part of its next phase of improved efficiency, the brand has selected Wincanton to provide a future-fit supply chain solution to support its ongoing systems development.

Wincanton will manage Futon Company’s end-to-end warehousing and distribution operations from its specialist omni-channel fulfilment centre in Corby. The partnership will enable Futon Company to benefit from Wincanton’s deep expertise across retail and eCommerce fulfilment, including multi-channel stock management, delivery optimisation and seamless customer experience — all key to supporting the brand’s ambitions to maintain and improve its high level of customer experience.

Carl Moore, Managing Director, eFulfilment, at Wincanton, said:

“Futon Company is a brilliant example of a brand with a strong identity and we’re proud to support them as they take the next step in their journey. We’re confident our operational capability and omni-channel expertise will drive efficiencies and delight their customers.”

David Kirby, Commercial Director at Futon Company, said:

“Our new partnership with Wincanton marks a significant development in meeting our customer experience objectives. Their extensive history in our market, and their logistical expertise, will provide us with the ability to continue our evolution whilst maintaining a first-class service for our valued customers.”

DP World reports strong H1 2025 results

Date: August 16, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

DP World has announced strong financial and operational results for the first half of 2025, underlining the resilience of its integrated global trade platform amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Revenue grew by 20.4% year-on-year to $11,244 million, driven by strong performance across Ports & Terminals and recent acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA rose 21.4% to $3,033 million, while container volumes increased 5.6% on a like-for-like basis, reaching 45.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across the global portfolio.

Commenting on the results, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said:

“We are pleased to report strong first-half results, with both revenue and EBITDA growing by over 20%. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, the continued closure of the Red Sea route, and rising uncertainty around global trade tariffs have caused significant disruption across the industry. Despite these challenges, our strategy of delivering integrated end-to-end solutions and operating critical infrastructure in key markets has allowed us to continue supporting cargo owners to move their freight and to deliver a strong set of results.”

DP World continues to invest in strategic growth markets, with $1.08 billion in capital expenditure during the first half of the year. The full-year capex target of $2.5 billion will support expansion in Jebel Ali Port, Drydocks World, Tuna Tekra (India), London Gateway (UK), and Dakar (Senegal), along with DP World Logistics and P&O Maritime Logistics. These investments are focused on enhancing terminal capacity, supply chain integration, and digital capabilities to support long-term trade resilience.

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO & CFO, commented:

“This performance was underpinned by continued momentum in Ports & Terminals and Marine Services, supported by strong cash generation and a disciplined balance sheet. We remain well-positioned to fund strategic growth, maintain our credit strength, and respond to evolving market conditions.”

Through Unifeeder, DP World offers efficient and sustainable multimodal transport solutions that ensure connectivity for global shipping lines and cargo owners. This has been particularly important amid recent disruptions to global supply chains, where our extensive network has played a crucial role in helping customers maintain cargo flows and delivery reliability.

DP World’s freight forwarding platform now spans approximately 300 locations and covers more than 90% of global trade lanes.

“We continue to enhance our logistics capabilities, allowing us to serve customers seamlessly across the world’s major trade lanes. Recent bolt-on acquisitions have expanded our offerings and introduced specialized capabilities aligned with the evolving needs of cargo owners. These investments address supply chain inefficiencies and strengthen connectivity across key corridors, enabling us to deliver more resilient, efficient, and tailored solutions,” the chairman said.

Despite ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and continued pressure on key shipping corridors, DP World expects to deliver a strong full-year EBITDA performance, supported by sustained throughput growth, operational leverage in Ports & Terminals, strengthening balance sheet, and strategic capex and global integration.

“Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the medium- to long-term outlook for global trade and logistics. As supply chains evolve, DP World is well-positioned to lead the industry in delivering efficient, resilient, and sustainable trade solutions that create long-term value,” added Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

Unipart’s partnership with Selco extended

Date: August 16, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Unipart has won a two-and-a-half-year contract extension with Selco Builders Warehouse, the UK-based trade-only builders’ merchant supplying a wide range of building materials, tools, and accessories to trade professionals.

Unipart has partnered with Selco since 2019, providing logistics and transportation services to all of Selco’s 75 branches across England and Wales from Unipart’s distribution centre in Cowley, Oxford.

With the extension of this partnership, Unipart will continue to provide a fully integrated and tailored delivery solution to Selco stores, delivering more than 38,000 lines per week across a wide range of products, including tools and workwear, via dedicated Selco-branded vehicles. 

Mike Bristow, Unipart Managing Director, Logistics and Transport UK, said: “Over the past five years our partnership with Selco has gone from strength to strength. This contract extension reflects exactly this, and gives us the opportunity to continue to streamline Selco’s operations and deliver excellence for its customers through the wide range of services we can provide from our central distribution center.”

Darren Leigh, Unipart Chief Executive, said: “Delivering excellence by driving efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains is at the heart of our strategy, so we’re delighted that Selco has placed its trust in Unipart, once again, to serve as its supply chain performance improvement partner of choice.”

David Rose, Selco Supply Chain Director, said: “The warehouse and transport contract extension with Unipart has been awarded based on the solid, stable performance delivered over recent years. This has been the result of strong leadership and a commitment from all colleagues to do a great job for Selco each and every day. This now provides the opportunity for Selco to further realise their supply chain ambitions; utilising the Cowley Distribution Centre to introduce additional product ranges and new ways of working.”

Neill & Brown rolls out UK–Italy rail freight service

Date: August 19, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Neill & Brown has launched a European rail freight service in a joint venture with its Italian logistics partner, Sogedim.

The two companies have made a significant investment in Huckepack trailers to provide seamless intermodal transport to and from Italy. The new service, which is suitable for a wide range of goods and complements established European road and sea services, offers customers a lower-carbon alternative on one of the continent’s busiest freight corridors.

Six of the specialist reinforced trailers, which are designed for rail and road transport, have been delivered to Neill & Brown to transport customers’ goods bound for Italy.

They will be taken by truck to Hull, onto a ferry before being lifted onto a freight train at Zeebrugge.

Neill & Brown has provided daily timed deliveries to and from Italy for many years, and the intermodal upgrade will provide customers with a new, sustainable transport option.

Carl Andrew, Neill & Brown’s Logistics Director, said:

“We have a superb relationship with Sogedim and believe this joint venture has great potential.

“It is a major investment in an efficient and reliable mode of transport to and from one of our most popular destinations, and we are thrilled to see the delivery of these striking additions to our fleet.

“By taking advantage of the existing rail freight infrastructure on the UK-Italy route, we can now provide more choice to our customers, who are increasingly looking for less carbon intensive haulage solutions.”

As one of the leading European logistics companies, Neill & Brown’s service is backed up by an extensive warehousing operation at two strategic Hull and Humber sites and an in-house customs documentation and clearance service.

Starting business more than a century ago, they also provide a worldwide sea and air service, abnormal loads service and UK pallet delivery.

WH Davis to supply 150 freight wagons to Ireland

Date: August 19, 2025 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

WH Davis, the UK’s sole remaining independent railway wagon manufacturer – and part of Buckland Rail – has secured a €44 million export deal to supply 150 freight wagons to Ireland with support from the UK’s export credit agency.

The deal has been enabled with support from export credit agency UK Export Finance (UKEF) through its Bond Support Scheme. An 80% guarantee provided by UKEF for the required contract bond means WH Davis’s bank, Barclays, was able to issue vital capital that would help to fund the production and delivery of the wagons.

The contract represents the first order under a 10-year framework agreement that could see the number of wagons supplied rise to 400. The wagons will support Ireland’s ambitious rail freight expansion strategy and are expected to start delivering in summer 2026, with all wagons delivered and in service by the end of 2027.

The contract is expected to facilitate a significant expansion of the company’s workforce by one quarter (25%) – from 80 to 100 staff members. The jobs will be located at WH Davis’s manufacturing site in Shirebrook – an ex-mining village in the East Midlands – helping to revitalise employment in the area.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said:

“UK manufacturers have huge exporting and growth potential, and WH Davis’s breakthrough into this market is a perfect example of how the right support can help unleash this.

“Through our Plan for Small Businesses and Trade Strategy we’re removing barriers for SME exporters. This connects them with global opportunities, to create high paying jobs and support local economies as part of the Plan for Change.”

Tim Reid at UK Export Finance, said:

“WH Davis’s return to exporting after 20 years, backed by UKEF’s Bond Support Scheme, shows the transformative power of export finance in revitalising local manufacturing and creating skilled jobs in communities like Shirebrook.

“This is a clear example of the potential that British firms have to succeed in global markets while driving local growth.”

The new wagons offer a third more carrying capacity compared to Iarnród Éireann’s older fleet and are faster too with a maximum speed of 110kmh (up from 80kmh). With larger and faster wagons, more companies will be able to use them for transporting goods to businesses and communities around Ireland.

UKEF’s backing has provided WH Davis – part of Buckland Rail – with a foundation to expand its operations and prepare for future orders under the agreement too. Discussions around the second phase of the contract are already underway, with potential for further product development and export expansion.

Andy Houghton, Managing Director of WH Davis, said:

“We are proud to be shaping the future of rail freight with this landmark export contract. This is a significant milestone for WH Davis and reaffirms the strength of UK manufacturing on the international stage. UKEF’s support has given us the confidence and liquidity to deliver on our ambitions and explore new export internationally.”

Barclays has a long-standing relationship with WH Davis, which was key in facilitating the innovative bonding structure used in this deal. The bank is supporting the business with a total of €28.7 million in UKEF backed bonding facilities over a 3-year period for the project.

James Guthrie, UK Head of Mid-Corporate Trade at Barclays, said:

“We’re proud to have supported WH Davis on this milestone deal, which marks a major step forward for the business and for UK manufacturing. By working closely with UKEF, we were able to provide a financing solution that gives WH Davis the flexibility and confidence to deliver on this contract and pursue further growth in Europe. It’s a great example of how strong collaboration between lenders and government-backed finance can unlock global opportunities for ambitious British exporters.”

As WH Davis looks beyond Ireland, the company is preparing to target further markets across Europe and internationally, opening new doors for UK rail manufacturing with the confidence of UKEF support behind it.