Boost for Trentside workers as Groveport seals new five-year deal with major steel trader

The inland port complex at Gunness is said to play an integral role in the supply chain of delivering steel products. Workers on the Groveport site at Gunness have been given a boost by one of the UK's largest steel traders.


The Groveport site, on the River Trent at Gunness

The Thirsk-based firm of All Steels Trading has just signed a new five-year deal with the inland port complex on the River Trent which covers 190 acres. All Steels Trading imports steel from across the world and the 12-berth Groveport, which is owned by the Teesside-based PD Ports and has traded for more than 40 years, is said to play an integral part in the supply chain of delivering products within 48 hours of ordering.

Geoff Lippitt, the business development director at PD Ports, said the relationship with All Steels Trading was a long-term one based on trust and deliverable logistics.

He said: "We have a very experienced team handling steel products at Groveport and we are both delighted and proud to have further strengthened our long-standing relationship with All Steels Trading as UK port of choice for the next five years and beyond.

"We have vast experience in and knowledge of the markets steel traders operate in and our steel handling operations reflect the care and attention to detail we offer in this sector.

"As well as the excellent transport links for road deliveries into the UK network, a key benefit of using Groveport is that we have a 19,200 sq m covered warehouse with direct quay access that provides a comprehensive service for our steel customers.

"With an additional 41,000 sq m of covered warehousing and a surfaced open storage area, we can offer a total of 450,000 sq m space for handling and storage."

Laurence McDougall, the managing director at All Steels Trading, said he believed the partnership with PD Ports worked because of their unique working relationship.

Mr McDougall added: "We often have to respond quickly to fluctuations on demand and knowing we can rely on PD Ports to handle, store and have our steel products available on demand adds real strength to our customer offer in terms of efficiency and value for money".