JWT Commercial is taking extra space and is investing £2m in new trucks as one of its major customers, retailer B&M, increases imports through Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

Independent haulage firm JWT Commercial is taking an extra five acres of land in a multi-million pound investment at the Port of Liverpool to accommodate its expanding operations.

And port owner, Peel Ports, says the expansion is further evidence that there is a major shift in UK logistics flows. In recent weeks it has secured a new Transatlantic cargo route that is being switched from Felixstowe.

Value retailer B&M also increasing its cargo flow through the Mersey and JWT is the inland logistics supplier for the company, which operates hundreds of outlets across the UK.

Storage facilities

JWT’s site at the port includes five acres of container storage facilities, allowing it to handle larger volumes of goods for distribution to stores across the UK. The firm has also spotted an opportunity to work with Peel Ports other UK ports, including London Medway and Great Yarmouth.

It has invested almost £2m into new trucks, with trained staff ready  to be deployed to the South East ports. The move will allow them to transport a range of cargo, including steel, bulk and containers that are bound for other areas of the UK, including Greater London.

The move comes as cargo owners continue to experience growing delays in the South East and reroute using alternative ports. JWT estimate it will be able to operate upwards of 100 per week for each customer through the new service.

Efficient service

Jon Whiteley, director of JWT, said: “Not only does this relationship allow us to be closer together, it allows us to offer customers a joined up approach to logistics, and a consistently efficient service. 

“Because of the current delays being experienced across major ports in the south east of the UK, there is a real gap in the market to anticipate increased cargo throughput through ports including London Medway and Great Yarmouth.

“This investment puts us in a strong position to offer our services to cargo owners looking to transport their goods across the UK in the fastest way possible.”

JWT has also invested £500,000 at its Port of Liverpool base to create an automated system that will significantly speed up its turnaround time for containers travelling through the port. 

Stephen Carr, commercial director at Peel Ports, added: “JWT’s investment in Liverpool illustrates the confidence the firm has in growing even further this year. With problems only expected to worsen as Brexit moves closer at southern ports, congestion shows no sign of easing and delays get longer.”