Wincanton has confirmed that it has taken over the Aggregate Industries (AI) Concrete Products Division work from Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL), as exclusively revealed by mototransport.co.uk last month.

In a press release today, Wincanton said it had signed a five-year deal with AI “for the distribution of concrete products from a majority of its UK manufacturing sites”.

Under the new agreement, Wincanton will operate a dedicated fleet of specialised vehicles, backed up by its national network.

The 3PL will transport more than 40,000 loads per year from 10 factories to customers across the country.

Adrian Colman, CEO of Wincanton, said: “Our existing relationship with AI has enabled us to demonstrate our commitment to service excellence.

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“This, combined with our track record for delivering an efficient and sustainable specialist vehicle network, and our best in class health and safety record, were all factors in securing this contract.”

Wincanton already runs 14 ready-mix Mercdes-Benz 8x4 vehicles as an extention of its work for AI at the firm's Cauldon cement works in Staffordshire.

The contract starts today (4 March) and affected staff have transferred under TUPE to Wincanton from ESL.

Wincanton representatives have been present at the Hulland Ward, Derbyshire; Carnforth, Lancashire; and Grovebury Quarry in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire quarries in the lead up to the changeover.

Motortransport.co.uk understands the contract may have encountered teething problems, with a report that drivers at Carnforth are currently without trucks and are not working at the quarry. A spokeswoman for Wincanton declined to comment on this.

Last month, Motortransport.co.uk revealed that the relationship between ESL and AI had broken down just over two years into a flagship five-year deal.

Although neither ESL or AI have commented officially, it is understood that they have been locked in mediation over whether the switch in partner constitutes a breach of contract – something that could carry a multi-million pound implication.