The service provided includes freight maintenance, wagon repair, fleet planning, supply chain and materials management, 24-hour mainline call out, engineering and logistics.
MRL is a joint venture between two of the UK’s largest aggregate and cement producers Hanson Aggregates and Aggregate Industries. More than 9 million tonnes of aggregate is moved each year from the quarries in the Mendips in North Somerset to terminals in London and the South East, for use in various construction projects including HS2, housing and road improvements.
Colin Denman, MD of VTG Rail UK, said “As the UK’s largest lessor of rail freight wagons, VTG recognises the key role it plays in enabling its customers to move large quantities of product by rail rather than road, supporting the drive towards long-term sustainability. Our relationship with Mendip Rail goes back a very long way, and providing them with the best possible service, thereby enabling their business to operate to its maximum capabilities, is absolutely crucial. High quality wagon maintenance is a vital ingredient in achieving this and we are confident that Yellow Rail is the right partner to provide the improvements we need in order to meet our customer’s expectations.”
Jason Black, MD of MRL, added: “We are delighted with the fresh approach to aggregate wagon maintenance brought by Yellow Rail and see them as a key stakeholder in achieving the growth aspirations for the MRL shareholders.”
Andy Kevins, MD of Yellow Rail, concluded by saying: “Our company vision is to increase our capability in order to become more important to our customers. The extension of our freight service portfolio to include freight maintenance is demonstration that we are progressing in our ambition. We are delighted and grateful that VTG Rail and MRL has given the company this exciting opportunity, in return we will deliver the improved services required.”