Scunthorpe steelworks secures biggest ever order for rail sleepers
Almost a quarter of a million have been ordered to be exported to Africa
There's some good news for Scunthorpe steelworks after they revealed they've received their largest ever order for rail sleepers.
British Steel has agreed a major export deal with Guinea in West Africa.
Almost a quarter of a million of their steel sleepers will be sent there to upgrade a railway line at a mine.
The company says the sleepers are 100% recyclable and provide a more durable, low-carbon and cost-effective solution for track operator.
We're proud to have been chosen
British Steel’s Export Sales Manager, Rail, Jérôme Bonef said: “This is fantastic news for our business, particularly given the high level of competition we faced to secure this contract.
“Our steel sleepers provide the perfect technical solution to the challenges facing rail operators in this region and we’re proud to have been chosen to support such a major project.”
They're said to be stronger and more durable than wooden sleepers which are traditionally used in African regions.
It's said to be because of their long established supply chain
The company says the transportation of steel sleepers is much more efficient than the transportation of their concrete equivalents as they are lighter and easily stacked – road vehicles can carry 3 times more steel.
It means lower transportation costs.
Trackwork Sales Manager Dave Roberts said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of securing this contract; the most significant single order for steel railway sleepers in the long history of our partnership with British Steel."
"Succeeding in the face of such high-level competition bears full testament to the expertise, competence and quality within our long-established global supply chain.”