DB Cargo UK has more than doubled its facility in Wolverhampton with its new £6m steel logistics centre which opened this week.
The centre in Wolverhampton receives imported steel from as far as Holland and Sweden.
The £6m project is one of the largest investments in rail freight in the past five years. It is seen as a major vote of confidence in the UK's continuing ability to trade and attract inward investment post-Brexit.
The new state-of-the-art logistics centre will be used by big steel companies, including ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel and SSAB.
DB Cargo UK is the UK's biggest transporter of metal products. Its Midlands investment will significantly strengthen the local steel supply chain.
The freight operator currently transports steel to the centre by rail from the ports of Immingham, Hull and Boston. It is then unloaded before being transferred onto HGV's for final delivery by road.
Every train delivery to Wolverhampton will remove an estimated 76 HGV's from Britain's roads.
What did the officials say?
DB Cargo UK's Chief Executive Hans-Georg Werner said:
“This is a fantastic investment story for the UK. Despite all the uncertainty over Brexit, here you have a large German-owned company willing to invest significant sums of money that will greatly benefit British and foreign businesses.
“This investment demonstrates DB Cargo UK's commitment to be the first choice for rail freight in the UK and our confidence in the resilience and sustainability of the international steel market,” he added.
“There is buoyant demand for steel from engineering and manufacturing firms in the area and we are delighted to be in a position to work with our customers to help meet this demand,” said Mr Werner.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy at the City of Wolverhampton Council, said:
“We are delighted DB Cargo UK has made this major investment in the City of Wolverhampton and expanded its business.
“It is yet another example of how businesses are thriving in the city and are delivering jobs for local people.
“There is currently £3.7 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline in the City of Wolverhampton, clearly making it the city of opportunity.”
Philippa Edmunds, from Freight on Rail, said;
“Rail freight terminals help tackle our congested national roads network and improve air quality by reducing the overall number of lorries on UK roads.”
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Most freight trains should do the job on moving freight containers and cargo by rail and to reduce freight lorries on the roads that would save money & also to help reduce global warming. At least the new freight depot will also allow rail freight coming to & from other ports such as Port of Felixstowe either avoiding London or going via North London Line and connecting onto the West Coast Main Line at Willesden Junction.