Company strengthens rail cement operations with multi-million-pound iWagon investment
CONSTRUCTION materials supplier Breedon Group have reached a significant operational milestone following a multi-million-pound investment in the first new-build JPA iWagon rail wagons to enter service in the UK.
The move marks the first operational deployment of new-build wagons featuring VTG’s market-leading iWagon technology since its introduction in spring 2024. An initial batch of 18 JPA powder tank wagons was delivered to Breedon’s Hope cement works in Derbyshire and entered service on 14 January 2026.
The wagons – supplied by VTG Rail UK – form part of a wider order for 62 new-build JPA iWagons, placed by Breedon in November 2024. Built by Feldbinder at their Wittenberg facility in Germany, the wagons arrived in the UK via the Channel Tunnel before being transferred to Hope cement works for final inspection and handover – marking the first movement of new-build iWagons onto the UK rail network.
The remaining 44 wagons will be introduced in phased batches across Breedon’s core rail routes over the next 12 months, further enhancing the company’s ability to support critical construction and infrastructure projects nationwide.
Purpose-built for the bulk transportation of cement, the wagons are equipped with the Knorr-Bremse FreightControl Sentinel system, which underpins VTG’s iWagon platform. The technology integrates advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and automation, delivering enhanced asset visibility while helping Breedon improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability across its rail logistics operations.
Ian Smith, managing director for cement and building products at Breedon, said: ‘This is an important step forward for our business, and it’s great to see the first 18 iWagons now in service. We’re looking forward to introducing the remaining 44 across our network over the next 12 months. '
The new fleet will enhance our capacity to support vital construction and infrastructure projects across Great Britain, enabling us to deliver at scale with reliability and efficiency for our customers.‘We selected the Feldbinder JPA wagons fitted with VTG’s iWagon system for the visibility, efficiency and safety the technology provides – supporting our priority to keep our people and partners safe while maintaining dependable service. We’ve worked with VTG since 2016, and this investment underlines our long-term partnership as we operate this new generation of fleet together in the years ahead.’
Nigel Day, business Improvement director at VTG Rail UK, said: ‘Bringing the first new build iWagons into service in the UK for Breedon is a major step forward for digital rail freight. The combination of purpose-built wagons and iWagon technology gives our customers greater visibility of asset condition and performance, enabling smarter maintenance and more efficient operations from day one. We’re proud to see these wagons now supporting Breedon’s operations on the UK network.’
This order builds on the successful deployment of 51 retrofit iWagons already in operation across VTG’s UK customer fleets, where the technology is delivering measurable safety benefits and operational value in day-to-day service.
