STOB.L Regulatory News (STOB)

13 Feb 2008 07:00

Stobart Group Limited13 February 2008 13 February 2008 STOBART GROUP LIMITED ("Stobart Group" or "the Group") STOBART GROUP GRANTED HARBOUR REVISION ORDER Stobart Group, a leading provider of multi-modal logistics solutions, is pleasedto announce that it has today received a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) from theDepartment of Transport for the Port of Weston. The HRO, which will come into effect on 27 February 2008, allows the Group tocommence its planned development of the port into a fully functioning bulkshipping and coastal feeder port. The order also appoints Westlink Holdings Ltd,a wholly owned subsidiary of the Stobart Group, as the statutory port authorityfor the Port of Weston. The Port of Weston is strategically placed close to theGroup's existing O'Connor facility in Widnes enabling full rail integration withthe West Coast Mainline as well as the M62 and M56 motorways. The Stobart Group currently operates one of the UK's largest road haulage fleetsand a specialist rail freight service. The improvement of the Port of Westoncomprises an important step in the Group's strategy of developing a fullyintegrated multi-modal logistics operation. Andrew Tinkler, Chief Executive of Stobart Group, said: "The Harbour RevisionOrder that we have received today, marks an exciting new start for the Port ofWeston and the continuation of our stated strategy for the Stobart Group. "By returning the Port of Weston to a fully functioning port, we will furtherenhance our range of cost-effective logistics solutions for our customers,whilst helping to reduce carbon emissions and the amount of freight transportedaround the country's road network." - ENDS - For further information please contact: Stobart Group LtdAndrew Tinkler, Chief Executive 01925 605 400Ben Whawell, Finance Director Lansons Communications:Charlie Field 020 7294 3616Kim Atkins 020 7566 9728 Notes to Editors Stobart Group Stobart Group was formed in September 2007 through the merger of the iconichaulage firm, Eddie Stobart Ltd, with the Westbury Property Fund Ltd. The merger brought together two companies that see huge commercial andenvironmental benefits of combining road haulage and storage with rail freightand waterborne transport systems, thereby offering customers a truly integratedtransport and logistics solution. Westbury's assets included a port development site in Runcorn, a rail freightoperating business and a rail terminal and warehousing business in Widnes. Eddie Stobart has a modern, well-invested fleet of more than 1000 trucks(tractor units) and 1,500 trailers, each christened with its own, unique femalename. The combined business also has more than 3 million square feet of storagespace across a network of over 29 operating sites (including 10 customer sites)across the UK and one in Belgium as well as its own rail division. Stobart Group has an established portfolio of long-term, big-brand customers,including Tesco, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson and Sara Lee, employing more than2,400 people across the UK - principally in Carlisle, Daventry, Runcorn, Widnesand Warrington. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange