Freightliner-Breedon UK Rail: Sustainable Freight & Efficiency Gains

Freightliner and Breedon Cement a Long-Term Partnership with New Aggregate Contract

Freightliner, a leading heavy haul rail freight operator, has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Breedon Group plc, securing two new five-year contracts that will bolster its operations and enhance its commitment to sustainable transport. The agreements encompass the renewal of an existing cement transport contract and the launch of a new contract to move aggregates across the United Kingdom. The first aggregate service under the new contract commenced on June 28th, 2025, transporting materials from Dowlow and Shap Quarries to various locations. This strategic move reflects Freightliner’s dedication to supporting the construction industry’s needs while advancing operational efficiency. Why is this important? It showcases the long-term investment in and commitment to rail transport, promoting sustainable practices and efficiency gains in the freight sector. Freightliner is investing in Class 70 locomotives, wagon conversions, and new facilities to facilitate this expansion, highlighting its proactive approach to meeting Breedon’s requirements.

Expanding the Scope of Operations

The renewed cement transport contract, a partnership spanning over 25 years, focuses on moving cement from Hope Cement Works to distribution sites throughout the UK, including locations such as Dagenham, Theale, Dewsbury, and Walsall. The agreement also includes the transport of Alternative Raw Materials (ARM) from Llandudno and Drax Power Station to Hope Cement Works. The expansion also includes the transport of aggregates from multiple quarries to various delivery points across the UK. This diversification into aggregate transport marks a key strategic shift for the collaboration. The expansion will involve transport from Dowlow and Shap Quarries. This integrated approach will improve the efficiency of the supply chain.

Rolling Stock Investments and Innovation

To meet the demands of the new contracts, Freightliner is investing in its rolling stock. The deployment of Class 70 locomotives is enabling the operation of longer, heavier trains, thereby boosting output, efficiency, and sustainability. The company is also partnering with WH Davis, a leading wagon design and manufacturing company, and Porterbrook, a British rolling stock company, to repurpose its residual coal fleet into aggregate box wagons. This is done through modifications at the WH Davis factory in Mansfield. This initiative will enhance the supply chain’s agility while repurposing existing rolling stock, a strategy that reflects a dedication to sustainable practices and the efficient utilization of resources.

Infrastructure Enhancements

Freightliner is strengthening its infrastructure to support the increased transport volumes. A new maintenance and fueling facility has been established at Dowlow Quarry to improve operational efficiency. Investments in Earles Sidings are also underway to ensure smooth operations. This investment in infrastructure will improve the speed and reliability of rail freight transport by supporting the increased throughput of materials, allowing for more efficient loading, unloading, and maintenance procedures.

Breedon’s Perspective on the Partnership

Tony Power, Procurement Category Manager at Breedon, expressed enthusiasm regarding the new agreements. He stated that these five-year agreements represent a “major step forward” in Breedon’s drive for safety, sustainability, and efficiency improvements across its rail portfolio. He further highlighted Freightliner’s “can-do attitude” in delivering excellent service and performance as critical to satisfying the needs of stakeholders throughout the Breedon business. This sentiment underscores the mutual benefits of the partnership and the shared goals of enhancing sustainability and improving service quality.

Conclusion

The expanded partnership between Freightliner and Breedon signifies a major step forward in the UK’s rail freight sector. The renewal of the cement transport contract and the new aggregate contract demonstrate a long-term commitment to rail-based transport solutions. Freightliner’s investments in locomotives, wagon conversions, and facility upgrades reflect a strategic approach to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. The move to longer trains will increase capacity. These initiatives, coupled with Breedon’s positive feedback, underscore the success of this partnership. This reinforces the growing importance of rail freight in supporting the construction and building materials sectors. The collaboration is expected to continue. The focus on repurposing rolling stock and investment in maintenance facilities highlights the industry’s commitment to sustainable and cost-effective transport solutions. The focus on cement and aggregates is also an indication of the significance of raw materials transportation to the national economy. Further innovations in rolling stock technology, track maintenance, and loading and unloading methods will play a key role in driving rail freight’s role.

Company Summary

Freightliner is a prominent UK-based rail freight operator, specializing in heavy haulage services across a variety of sectors, including construction materials, intermodal transport, and coal. They offer a range of logistical solutions, including rail transport and road haulage, that are designed to meet the needs of its customers and the economy. The company is part of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., a leading short line and regional rail operator.

Breedon Group plc is a leading construction materials group in the UK and Ireland. Breedon focuses on the production and supply of building materials, including aggregates, cement, and asphalt. The company has integrated vertically, so they have control over different parts of their operation. Breedon operates numerous quarries, cement plants, and asphalt plants, supplying materials for a wide variety of construction projects.