UK holding company Buckland Rail has amalgamated its family of rail businesses under their own brand. It means a change of association for some well-known companies. The familiar names of WH Davis and Davis Wagon Services, and the engineering support company Yellow Rail will become unified as part of Buckland Rail.

Derby based Buckland Rail is less well recognised as its constituent parts. However, the company has decided to come out into the spotlight. By bringing together the three parts of its business under one banner, it says it will provide a more complete service to customers. The family includes Britain’s last independent wagon manufacturer WH Davis, which, like the other constituents will retain their identity under Buckland Rail.

Headquarters location in Derby

Buckland Rail aims to provide a more unified service to rail customers. At present, the business’s three constituents are the freight wagon manufacturing arm at WH Davis, based in Shirebrook near Mansfield in the English East Midlands, and the wagon maintenance arm, Davis Wagon Services, based in Immingham.

The third is the more recently acquired Yellow Rail. That company is a well-respected name within the engineering sector. Yellow Rail is based in Derby, which will also be Buckland Rail’s headquarters. Yellow is best known for a range of engineering support services offered in the field and at its workshops. By bringing all three businesses into closer management, Buckland plans to offer a more comprehensive service.

Further developments not ruled out

The overall holding company, Buckland Group, is based in Winchester in the south of England. The group has several engineering, technology and infrastructure businesses in its portfolio. Buckland has an acquisitive business model, and further developments have not been ruled out. “Buckland Rail enables a far more comprehensive solution to our customer needs, where we will continue to broaden our services offered”, said a company spokesperson.

In a further statement to the business and investment community, Paul Bragg, the Managing Director of Buckland Group, outlined their plans. “This strategic move demonstrates Buckland Group’s commitment to the rail sector”, he said. “The integration of our individual company offers [advantages] to both our passenger and freight customers.”

Buckland Rail will be led by new CEO Andy Kevins, who is succeeded as Managing Director of Yellow Rail by Paul Cunningham, who has joined the company from Wabtec. John Hall will continue as Managing Director of Davis Wagon Services, and Andy Houghton will continue as Managing Director of WH Davis.