Simon Gibson Transport Ltd is increasing its fleet of trucks from 85 to 147 having won a major order with Aggregate Industries (LafargeHolcim Group) to transport cement from UK import terminals to distribution centres nationwide over a five-year period, reports the Hull Daily Mail.

The East Yorkshire bulk powder transport specialist is to bring GBP8m (US$9.9m) worth of investment and new jobs to six UK ports. Goole-based Simon Gibson Transport Ltd currently has 13 operating centres across the UK and will recruit new drivers in each of the six areas of the UK where the ports are located – Plymouth, Glasgow, Ellesmere, Chatham and Ridham in Kent, as well as Goole.

Simon Gibson, managing director, said: "'Aggregate Industries is one of the largest importers of cement into the UK. It's fantastic news for us as a company and will see us drastically increase the size of our fleet from January 2017.

"It also means that we'll be investing in each of the six areas of the UK where the ports are located, creating new jobs.

"We'll be establishing a presence close to each of the port terminals, and will need to have drivers and management based there to deliver the contract."

At a local level, Simon Gibson Transport Ltd will move bulk cement through the Port of Goole's cement terminal, off Lower Bridge Street in the town. The new contract with Aggregate Industries will see Simon Gibson Transport Ltd's turnover increase to GBP24m during the next financial year.