Gypsum industry news

UK: XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of freight transportation services, has been awarded a multi-year contract renewal by Etex. XPO distributes several hundred thousand tonnes of products for Etex each year in the UK. It uses a dedicated fleet to deliver gypsum wallboard to builders’ merchants and building sites from Etex's manufacturing plants in Bristol and Ferrybridge. It also supports distribution centres in Basildon and Grangemouth. The customised network is managed by XPO teams on-site, and draws on XPO’s wider resources for transport and storage as needed to supplement seasonal fluctuations in demand. Under the new agreement, XPO will remain a single-source provider for transport and on-site logistics management, and will collaborate with Etex to prepare for higher distribution volumes. Etex’s planned significant investment in the Bristol site will increase production and warehousing capacity to support the company’s expansion in the UK.

UK: Freight transportation services provider XPO Logistics has started taking delivery of 76 Volvo FM trucks that will be used exclusively on the company's contract with British Gypsum. 23 of the tractor units are Volvo FM LNG models running on bio-generated liquefied natural gas. The other 53 Volvo FM trucks will be fuelled with hydrotreated vegetable oil. The vehicles are expected to reduce their greenhouse gases emissions by 90% compared to diesel tractors giving a total network reduction of 30%.

Brian Fisher, Head of Distribution at British Gypsum, said "Our new fleet of vehicles underlines our commitment to ensuring that our products are delivered to customers in an efficient, secure, safe and sustainable way, whilst further improving welfare standards for our drivers. The latest investment signifies yet more progress as we continue on our journey to being net carbon zero by 2050 and highlights our continued commitment to the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) status."

The Volvo trucks will form part of British Gypsum's single, integrated transportation network, digitally managed by XPO. They will deliver building supplies to a broad customer base and will transport stock and materials including plaster, wallboard and high-performance drylining systems – between British Gypsum's five production plants. The Volvo FM LNG trucks will refuel at Gasrec's site at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.

UK: British Gypsum has chosen XPO Logistics to optimise its UK supply chain with a single, digitally-managed transportation network. XPO will create an integrated transportation network for British Gypsum using a customised delivery model deployed on its XPO Connect product platform. Distribution will take place from British Gypsum’s five manufacturing plants and four outbases in the UK. Additionally, XPO will manage all downstream processes, including load securing, yard management and weighbridge operations. XPO will also make an investment in new fleet dedicated to the British Gypsum network, using vehicles outfitted with telematics and safety technology.

“XPO has the scale and vision to help us manage our growth, while serving our customers with greater efficiency and a zero-harm safety ethos. We look forward to a long and collaborative partnership in the UK,” said Brian Fisher, distribution manager, British Gypsum.