Transport operator steers into London with distribution centre at new freeport site

A UK road transport operator has announced that it is establishing a new distribution centre in London.

Swain Group, headquartered in Rochester, has revealed that it has signed an agreement with DP World for a new 2.25 acre distribution facility at its London Gateway freight and logistics hub.

The deal, which is for three years, will see the company use the quayside site for the storage of construction materials before delivery to the final customer.

The company said that this move will deliver “significant” cost and time savings, with London Gateway being selected as one of the UK’s new freeport areas.

Matthew Deer, managing director at Swain Group, commented: “We handle over 100,000 tons of building materials a year on ships arriving at London Gateway and expect this figure to continue to grow as construction in London and the South East picks up following the pandemic.

“On arrival at the berth DP World will shunt inbound containers to our facility, where our team will unpack the stone product, temporarily store it where necessary, and then assemble outbound orders for transport via our own fleet to destinations across Britain such as garden centres and builders’ merchants.

“This integration of the supply chain will generate cost and time efficiencies both for us and our customers.”

Ernst Schulze, chief executive of DP World in the UK, said: “I am delighted that Swain Group have chosen to strengthen further their long standing relationship with London Gateway.

“At DP World we think ahead and create smarter trade solutions and this lease is an outstanding example of the benefits of port-centric logistics.

“We aim to be a partner in our customers’ business success, providing fast, reliable and flexible links to international supply chains and markets.

“London Gateway has almost 10 million square feet of land with planning consent at the port and adjacent logistics park and I would urge companies looking to expand to contact us to find out more about how they could benefit from being part of a freeport.”