GB Railfreight supports UK manufacturing in contract with Sibelco Europe

GB Railfreight today announced that it has signed a contract with Sibelco Europe to provide freight services for its silica sand product. 

The contract states that silica sand will be transported from Sibelco’s quarry in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, to Guardian Industries’ UK plant in Goole, Yorkshire, and Ardagh Group’s UK glass sites in Barnsley and Doncaster. Two trains will be running each day to the three locations. 

This contract win provides another boost to GB Railfreight’s position in the aggregates market and is endorsed by the company, as part of the significant growth it has experienced these last six months. 

It’s also an important example of how the rail freight industry supports UK manufacturing and the supply chain. Guardian Industries will be using the sand to produce windscreens for automotive applications and flat glass for building and commercial applications. Luxembourg-based Ardagh Group will be using it to manufacture glass containers. 

GB Railfreight is adamant that it uses innovative solutions to provide the best service and in this partnership, it will be introducing a different mode of train operations on the routes that better suits Sibelco’s needs.  

John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf, said:  

"GB Railfreight is delighted to announce its partnership with Sibelco Europe and is looking forward to providing alternative freight solutions that will help boost its operations. 

"Sibelco has been producing and supplying advanced minerals in the UK for over 300 years and is an important link in the domestic supply chain.  

This contract is a great opportunity for GB Railfreight to support the UK supply chain, continue boosting growth in our manufacturing sector and exemplify the pivotal role played by UK rail freight in keeping Britain’s economy moving." 

Katherine Vivian, Sibelco Europe’s UK Distribution Manager, said:  

"We have felt for some time that a review of our long-standing arrangements was needed and that it would be good to establish a different direction for the company. 

"From our first meeting with GBRf, there was a very positive feeling to the talks. We found they had a proficient set-up, terrific profile and great people throughout the organisation. 

"Furthermore, they realised we would demand quality and, in line with our own ethos, going above and beyond the norm would be essential. 

"GBRf affirmed that is something they could deliver, which is why we were happy to award them the contract. Sibelco is determined to forge ahead with its business across Europe and to do that, we must have the right infrastructure and the best people. In GBRf we have found all that and more." 

Notes to editors: 

1.    GB Railfreight is one of the UK’s leading rail freight companies. It operates around 650 trains per week in the UK and is the main transporter of coal on the rail network and the only rail freight company with regular contracts to move biomass.
2.    Sibelco Europe is a manufacturer of advanced industrial minerals and has customers across a broad range of industries, including ceramics, glass and foundry.
3.    Guardian Industries is a US-based manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products and has supplied glass for numerous large-scale projects across the world.
4.    Ardagh Group is a Luxembourg-based glass and metal packaging company that supply products for some of the world’s biggest brands.