

(Posted on 15/10/19)
Middlesbrough freight logistics firm AV Dawson has officially opened a new £1million canopy to help service a multi-million pound deal with a major blue-chip manufacturer.
The logistics firm invested in a new rail linked facility to support its multi-million pound contract with British Gypsum, the UK’s market leader for plaster and plasterboard products. The 100 metre canopy provides dry-loading capabilities for trains which increases the efficiency of loading but also reduces costs of drying the product when it arrives at British Gypsum’s factory.
AV Dawson has showcased its investment in new building infrastructure at a recent unveiling ceremony, attended by delegates from British Gypsum, the North East England Chamber of Commerce, Department for International Trade and rail freight operator, GB Railfreight.
British Gypsum, part of the global Saint Gobain group, is importing the product, which is used to make plaster and plasterboard, through AV Dawson’s Teesside freight terminal, based on Riverside Park in Middlesbrough. The product arrives by ship to AV Dawsons Middlesbrough port facilities, is unloaded and stored in the new canopy, ready to be loaded onto trains for daily deliveries to the East Midlands area.
Kevin Flinton, Saint Gobain’s senior procurement manager said: “We awarded this contract to AV Dawson because of the flexible and environmentally efficient solution they’ve provided to our business. We also liked that the business was prepared to take a long term view; investing further in its facilities to ensure it could deliver the highest quality service for us.”
North East England Chamber of Commerce director of international trade, Julie Underwood, said: “It’s fantastic to see the investment that is happening at AV Dawson’s site, the business really is going from strength to strength and securing a major global brand name such as Saint Gobain is testament to this. This operation is a great illustration of the innovation, investment and added value that the logistics sector and the wider supply chain delivers to businesses trading internationally.”
Managing director Gary Dawson said “ This is a significant investment for AV Dawson, however to provide the high service level that our customers have come to expect from us, it was important to invest in the best solution for British Gypsum. It now means we load the trains without adverse weather conditions hampering operations and we are also delivering an environmentally efficient solution that enables our customer to reduce its CO2 emissions by using rail instead of road.
“The canopy is just part of ongoing investment in out 100 acre Teesside site. The fact that we are still a family owned company with a relatively flat management structure means we can make quick but considered business decisions to help support our customers’ needs; it really shows how adaptable and resourceful we can be as a company.”
The contract, signed in 2018 meant ten new jobs at AV Dawson and over £2 million investment in new facilities and plant equipment. The new £1m purpose-built canopy is based on the southern end of the firm’s Middlesbrough site.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Yokogawa Electric Corporation have initiated a feasibility study... Read more
HES Gdynia in Poland has started the construction works of a grain storage facility extension in port... Read more
A joint Statement from the United States and the European Union has been released on support for Angola... Read more
Associated British Ports has announced the successful renewal of a lease agreement with Breedon Group... Read more
In North Sea Port, the transportation of goods to the hinterland by inland waterway continues to increase... Read more
Both the tense economic situation in Europe, especially in Germany, and background geopolitical factors... Read more
Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2023, reporting... Read more
SOHAR Port and Freezone in the Sultanate of Oman, has signed a land lease agreement with Sohar Noble... Read more
CN has published its 2023-2024 Grain Plan, which builds on the operational improvements introduced this... Read more
The Maritime Standard is delighted to announce the unveiling of the second session, titled 'Ports and... Read more