PD Ports has secured a new ten-year contract with global chemical company Venator, extending a successful 20-year partnership at the Port of Hartlepool. The agreement will secure 24 jobs and sees PD Ports continue to provide dedicated logistics and warehousing operations for Venator’s Greatham facility, handling everything from raw materials to finished products.

The longstanding relationship between PD Ports and Venator underscores PD Ports’ reputation as a trusted and reliable partner in the supply chain industry. Known for going the extra mile for its customers, PD Ports continues to invest in infrastructure to ensure operations remain efficient, safe, and cost-effective.

Venator, headquartered in Wynyard, is a leading manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigments and performance additives used in a wide range of household items and products globally, including paints, plastics, clothing, and cars. The Greatham plant, near Hartlepool, is Venator’s highest producing operation in Europe.

PD Ports provides a dedicated logistics operation that supports every step of the plant’s processes, from moving raw materials directly from the quay to the plant, to collecting the end product and preparing it for worldwide distribution. On average, PD Ports handles approximately 100,000 one-tonne pallets of pigment per year on behalf of Venator, equating to around 2,500 pallets each week.

As part of the new agreement, PD Ports will enhance its dedicated warehousing operation for Venator by refurbishing a 100,000 sq. ft warehouse at Hartlepool Dock. This refurbishment will provide a more streamlined and efficient logistics service, including a 100 percent increase in dock leveller load capacity.

Lee Sanderson, PD Ports contract manager for Venator, expressed enthusiasm about the new contract: “We have a dedicated team who are delighted to see a new long-term contract signed with Venator. Our level of service provision to the company has developed beyond recognition in the last 20 years – we work closely with Venator to understand their needs and to refine our own operations, investing where necessary to make improvements. It is due to the hard work of our team that we have been able to improve methods to utilise less space without losing handling capacity or risking safety.”

Trevor Cairns, senior manager for supply chain logistics & Procurement at Venator, highlighted the importance of the new agreement, stating, “The contract will support the Venator UK Greatham TiO2 facility in achieving its operational improvement initiatives in supply chain logistics, customer order fulfilment, and ultimately production and sales volume growth targets. This is a significant milestone that builds on the strategic partnership between Venator and PD Ports logistics that has existed for over 20 years. We look forward to this very exciting time and want to thank all the PD Ports’ logistics team for their ongoing support.”

The new 100,000 sq. ft facility at Hartlepool Dock will serve as a consolidated location for all finished goods and will further enhance environmental, health, and safety standards, as well as support Venator’s supply chain sustainability targets. The transition of all operations to the newly refurbished Hartlepool Dock B Shed is set to be completed by December 2024.

This renewed partnership marks a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between PD Ports and Venator, as both companies continue to work together towards operational excellence and sustainable growth in the logistics and supply chain sector.

For more information visit www.pdports.co.uk