Middlesbrough-based PD Ports has announced a multi-million-pound investment in Groveport — an inland complex on the River Trent in Scunthorpe — in partnership with All Steels Trading Ltd.

This is the next step in PD Ports’ (www.pdports.co.uk) growth strategy, as Groveport gears up for further expansion to support its growing reputation as the UK’s market leader for handling long steel products.

A six-month build programme that started in March will see All Steels Trading’s footprint at Groveport expand from 166,000ft² to over 300,000ft².

Laurence McDougall, managing director of All Steels Trading Ltd, said: “PD Ports understands what we need to keep our customers on track; it’s an invaluable partnership.

Having the ability to centralise all of our operations at Groveport enables us to deliver an unrivalled service for our customers, re-affirming our market position as the number-one choice for long steel products in the UK.

"There is no other port in the UK that can offer the unique combination of capacity, infrastructure and exceptional service levels that we require.

"This new facility will streamline our entire business model.”

Geoff Lippitt, PD Ports’ business development director, said: “We are proud to have further strengthened our long-standing relationship with All Steels Trading, as the company’s UK port of choice beyond 2035.

"The length of the contract demonstrates the trust and confidence the company has in our market knowledge and our ability to understand — as well as respond — to their needs.”