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Financial Institutions

Candover Partners: due diligence into a management buy-out for a rail freight operating company, assessed the potential impact of 44-tonne lorries and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link construction works on the business, through modeling of commercial and operational scenarios.

Deloitte: supply chain reviews for global manufacturers and major retailers, as well as global and European freight market assessment and demand forecasting for transport operators, logistics companies and infrastructure providers.

Deutsche Bank: European freight market review as part of wider business review of infrastructure provider.

GE Capital: series of reviews undertaken on distinct European and global industry sectors, to determine future changes in transport equipment leasing market.

Porterbrook: series of reviews undertaken on UK and pan-European industry sectors, to determine future changes in rail vehicle leasing market.

Property Developers

We have amassed considerable expertise in major rail-linked developments, where we provide support in areas such as masterplanning, assessment of commercial demand, planning policy, alternative sites, railway technical issues, liaison with the distribution and rail sectors – in particular management of the critical interface with Network Rail. We are currently involved in the development of over 20 million ft2 of rail-linked warehousing across the UK, representing some £1.5 billion in investment.

Astral: technical support on development of the UK ’s largest rail-linked distribution park, on the site of the former Parkside Colliery at Newton-le-Willows, to create a new strategic rail freight interchange.

BAA Lynton: review of the masterplan for the proposed rail-linked distribution park at the former Alconbury airfield Bride Parks: technical support for the award-winning new rail terminals for Jaguar at Halewood and Castle Bromwich, and on two new major rail-linked developments in the Midlands.

Burford: demand forecasts for the proposed Trafford Interchange rail-linked distribution park in Carrington, Manchester.

Gallagher: expert witness to a local plan inquiry, where the client successfully defended a proposed residential development against separate proposals for a rail-linked waste processing facility on adjacent land

Helioslough: we have provided support to a number of Helios Properties and Helioslough projects, including the rail-linked warehousing developments at Nimbus Park (Thorne) and ModalSwitch (Cardiff) which have since obtained planning permission, as well as one of the 3-4 proposed M25 strategic rail freight interchanges, on the site of the former Radlett Aerodrome in North West London, and a further proposed strategic rail freight interchange in Yorkshire.

ProLogis: we have provided support to ProLogis on developments at Daventry, Crewe and Alconbury, as well as one of the 3-4 proposed M25 strategic rail freight interchanges at Howbury Park in South East London.

RIIG: reflecting our work for a number of developers on separate rail-linked schemes, we instigated a ‘hub club’ of developers to jointly promote the benefits of rail freight interchanges and seek improvements to the planning process, which led to creation of the Railfreight Interchange Investment Group (RIIG).

Manufacturing Industry

Over the last 10 years, we have undertaken a number of projects in-house and with other consultancies, to review supply chains for a number of global players, identifying cost savings and service improvements through consolidation of flows, rationalisation of facilities and inventory reduction, as well as assessment of multi-modal transportation solutions.

Allied Signal (global supply chain review).

Ford (review of external and on-site product flows for a major European vehicle assembly and engine production plant).

Honda (advice on rail freight options for vehicle exports from major European vehicle assembly plant).

Procter & Gamble (advice on rail freight options for product movement between European plants and distribution centres).

United Distillers (review of Scottish whisky supply chain).

United Technologies (review of emerging Eastern European countries to identify potential sites for new automotive component production facility).

Wabtech (review of European rail industry, to determine future changes in rail vehicle components).

Public Transport

Bride Parks: review of public transport options to serve a proposed major new settlement in Oxfordshire, including heavy rail, light rail and guided bus systems.

Helioslough: feasibility study into a new station proposal by a local authority, as part of wider technical input to a major rail-linked distribution park.

Kent County Council: input to Mid-Kent Light Rapid Transit Study, and on development of the County’s overall response to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link proposals.

Nottinghamshire County Council: assessment of infrastructure enhancements, to improve direct passenger rail services between Nottingham and other Core Cities.

Thurrock Council: feasibility study into a new station proposal by a local authority at West Thurrock.

Transport for London: feasibility study into a new station proposal by a local authority at Barking.

Wealden Way Consortium: part of a Consortium considering the case for reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield and Eridge-Tunbridge Wells railway lines.

Distribution & Logistics

The ‘logistics’ function has evolved in recent years, such that its importance in helping companies achieve competitive advantage has since been recognised at Board level. But whilst much of the activity in the sector has focused on ‘Efficient Consumer Response’, ‘Lean Logistics’ and ‘Just In Time’ supply chain management initiatives, the problems of port and road congestion, as well as the need for greater ‘sustainability’ at corporate level, has led to major retailers, logistics companies and shipping lines making greater use of rail.

» Eddie Stobart

» DB Schenker

» DHL

» Fiege Merlin

» Focsa

» GB Railfreight

» Lane Group

» Luxembourg Railways

» Network Rail

Ports

In recent years, we have helped a number of ports with (re)connection to the national rail network – but in so doing, we’ve set such proposals in context against each Port’s core maritime business. Our work has typically started with the Port’s own development plans, using market research to identify ways to retain and expand traffic through the introduction of rail services, converting traffic proposals into commercial rail service proposals, from which to produce tailored proposals for new rail infrastructure, and means of financing their development from private and public-sector sources.

» Bristol Port Company

» Dover Harbour Board

» Dunkerque

» Eurotunnel

» Killingholme

» Poole

» Portsmouth

Government

Over the last decade we have worked with Governments at all levels - from the European Commission through to Borough and District Councils - helping to demystify freight and logistics and develop policies and programmes more in tune with industry and community concerns. We have also helped local authorities secure funding to develop facilities and services to promote sustainable, intermodal deliveries in urban areas.

» Bexley Council

» Commission for Integrated Transport

» Derbyshire County Council

» Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

» East Midlands Local Authorities

» Essex County Council

» European Commission

» Gravesham Borough Council

» Kent County Council

» Kent & Medway Economic Board

» Lincolnshire County Council

» Maidstone Borough Council

» North West Regional Assembly

» Nottinghamshire County Council

» Office for the Deputy Prime Minister

» South Holland District Council

» Thames Gateway London Partnership

» Thames Gateway London Borough Councils

» Transport for London