Hope Construction Materials has announced a major investment in rail transportation from its flagship Derbyshire cement operation in the UK.
The company is investing over GBP1m in the manufacture and long-term lease of 48 tailor-made rail wagons for the distribution of cement from its Hope Works, in Hope Valley.
The wagons are being manufactured by German company Feldbinder, and are due for delivery to Hope Works in the autumn of 2015. Once in use, they will improve Hope’s ability to consistently transport over a 1Mt of cement from its plant to UK depots including Theale near Reading, Dewsbury near Leeds and Walsall for onward road deliveries.
Left to right: Andy Watson, deputy rail Manager; Clive Roberts, national logistics manager and
Frank Cooper, team leader next to a tailor-made rail wagon
In keeping with the firm’s ongoing commitment to improving sustainability, the wagons will be built from aluminium, reducing weight and with it, fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The wagons will also be quieter than other models, utilising track-friendly bogeys which allow the wheels to turn around bends more easily.
Ashley Bryan, Industrial Director of Hope Construction Materials, said: “These new wagons will bring many benefits and help us achieve major improvements in our rail logistics operation.
“They will carry a much larger ‘payload’ – 80 tonnes in comparison with the current wagon payload of 36 tonnes – meaning fewer trains are required to achieve the same annual volume, resulting in reduced movements up and down the branch line between Hope Works and the mainline.
“Fewer rail movements mean less impact on our neighbours around Hope Works which is very important to us given our commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with the local community.
“The improved wagon design also makes it easier for our operators to load and discharge cement, resulting in reduced manual handling.”
Ian Shaw, Marketing and Sales Director of VTG UK Rail, added: “VTG is delighted to be working with Hope Construction Materials on this landmark investment scheme. Once again we are proud to be leading the way in the provision of innovative and sustainable wagon designs which give our customers the competitive advantage they need.”
