EWS Construction, the new dedicated rail freight operator for the construction and waste industries, is formally launched today, Monday 4 December 2006.

With a business plan centred on growing rail's share of these markets, the new supplier has hit the ground running on day one with a new innovative long term haulage contract from WBB Minerals and the arrival of new high capacity wagons this week.

EWS Construction recognises that its customers need more from a rail supplier than just reliable hook and haul transportation. It uniquely meets that need through pioneering new initiatives to enhance existing customer service and facilitate growth. EWS Construction is shaping the future of rail freight by providing new services that combine both road and rail logistics management in order to provide a more sustainable transport solution.

Operating in shadow form since early autumn, EWS Construction has been outlining its new service offering to customers prior to its formal launch. This new approach for the construction and waste industries has seen WBB Minerals award EWS Construction a new contract on its first day of operations.

The long term deal will see EWS Construction move silica sand from Norfolk to Yorkshire for WBB Minerals, as well as other services to Ayrshire. Although WBB Minerals has been a long term user of rail for its economic and sustainability benefits, EWS Construction outlined a revised way of operating these services, resulting in a new road/rail transport package for WBB Minerals. This approach to addressing the needs of WBB Minerals has enabled an extra 120,000 tonnes of product to be transferred from road to rail as part of the contract, with EWS Construction also providing road haulage for the final leg of the journey.

Brian Hicks, WBB Minerals Rail Operations Manager, said: "WBB Minerals is pleased to award EWS Construction with its first contract. While discussing our requirements with them, we have been impressed with the refreshed and innovative alternative they are providing. They have smart solutions to enhance our operations, which have enabled us to award them traffic that was previously transported by road. We require a one-stop shop for our logistics requirements, and EWS Construction uniquely provides that."

EWS Construction offers unrivalled nationwide coverage with the largest and most reliable fleet of locomotives in Britain and is creating more haulage capability by investing in new high capacity wagons to meet changing customer requirements. Services are also provided to destinations across mainland Europe using the Channel Tunnel. Staffed with experienced professionals in the construction, waste and rail industries, the EWS Construction team are absolutely passionate about the service and value it delivers for customers.

EWS Construction will enhance customer service to facilitate growth in the movement of aggregate, construction materials, and domestic and industrial waste by rail through:

• Offering improved door to door logistics solutions, including adding new routes and terminals to extend rail's availability to the market
• Providing rail solutions and a range of major project support services
• Creating additional haulage capability by investing in new, high capacity wagons which allow customers to move more product by rail
  

EWS Construction will also this week take delivery of the first set of new high capacity aggregate wagons. This significant investment in 68 new wagons enables EWS Construction to move more by rail, and is a central part of its strategy to invest in the latest technology.

Nigel Smith, Managing Director of EWS Construction, said: "This is an exciting day for the construction and waste industries. EWS Construction has been created to provide a dedicated focus for the market and to take rail freight services to the next level. By offering more than a safe and reliable train service, we add value to our customers and enable greater volumes to be moved by rail. Sustainable transportation is important for these industries, and we have the right products to enable customers to switch to a safer transport solution and one that lowers their carbon footprint. We are delighted WBB Minerals is awarding us our first contract and that we have been successful in transferring traffic from road to rail. We look forward to serving them and our other customers."

EWS Construction will operate over 400 trains a week and is based at Toton in Nottinghamshire.