Construction materials provider Breedon Group has marked an operational milestone following a multimillion-pound investment in the first new-build JPA iWagon rail wagons to enter service in the UK, supplied by VTG Rail UK.
Breedon says this marks the first time new-build wagons, featuring VTG’s iWagon technology, have entered operational service in the UK since the system’s introduction in spring 2024.
The 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. These wagons are part of a wider order for 62 new-build JPA wagons fitted with iWagon technology, placed by Breedon in November 2024.
Built by Feldbinder at its Wittenberg facility in Germany, the wagons arrived in the UK in early January via the Channel Tunnel before being moved onward to Hope Cement Works for final inspection and handover. This journey marked the first movement of new build iWagons onto the UK rail network.
The remaining 44 iWagons on order will be progressively introduced across Breedon’s core rail network routes in similar batches over the next 12 months, further strengthening the company’s ability to support critical construction and infrastructure projects across the UK.
The wagons are purpose-built for the bulk transportation of cement and are equipped with the Knorr-Bremse FreightControl Sentinel system, which forms the technological backbone of VTG’s iWagon platform. By integrating advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and automation, iWagon delivers enhanced asset visibility, enabling Breedon to further streamline its logistics operations while improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability across its supply chain.
Ian Smith, MD for cement & 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 strengthen our ability to support vital construction and infrastructure projects across Great Britain, allowing 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.”
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.”
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.
Marc Hurn, MD of VTG Rail UK, added: “The introduction of the first new build iWagons into service reinforces the strong commercial and environmental case for rail freight. Transporting bulk materials by rail removes thousands of HGV journeys from the UK’s congested road network and generates around 50% less CO₂ per tonne-mile than road haulage, while also contributing to quieter roads, improved air quality, and safer communities.”
