A North East specialist railway maintenance company has become the latest business to set up shop in Blyth Port.
Mandy Rail will become the newest tenant at the port's growing Battleship Wharf and provide repair and maintenance services for freight cars. The Battleship Wharf terminal has four deep-water berths reinforced for the transport of heavy goods, as well as warehouses, additional open storage and development land.
The rail loading facility provides quick access to the UK's freight rail network and can accommodate trains up to 420 metres in length. Increasingly used for transporting wind farm and loading project cargoes, the pier also houses the port's fully licensed offshore dismantling facility and cable storage area.
Mandy Rail's first foray into the rail industry is almost five years after it started out in Shincliffe, County Durham in November 2019 with just two maintenance staff, focusing on servicing freight wagons for a few companies. It now employs 28 people across its Ashington and Doncaster sites, providing maintenance services for freight wagons owned by Tuax, VTG, GBRf, Elmewa, Freightliner and DRS.
The company said Battleship Wharf is a safe location with convenient road and rail links making it an ideal location for its business operations. Mandy Rail will enhance existing services at the Port of Blyth by providing easily accessible maintenance and repair solutions to wagon operators in the North East and beyond.
The port's commercial director, Alasdair Kerr, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mandy Rail to our Battleship Wharf terminal. Mandy Rail's expertise in wagon repairs and maintenance not only enhances our service offering but also further strengthens the port's commitment to providing total solutions to our customers.”
Mark Hedley, joint managing director at Mandy Rail, said: “Mandy Rail is delighted to announce this exciting partnership with Blyth Port, whose flexible, service-focused approach has helped us to transition seamlessly to the new site. This collaboration marks the start of a long and successful partnership.”
Earlier this year the port announced increased revenue and record profit margins, with turnover increasing from £30.4m to £31.5m and operating profits rising from £3.7m to £3.9m.