Montrose investment by Rix is now beyond £5m

ENERGY: Angus-based firm seeks expansion in offshore renewables sector

A new £1.5 million warehouse is the latest addition by Rix Shipping Scotland into their Montrose facility – taking the total level of investment in the site to more than £5 mover the past four years.

The warehouse, on Barrack Road, will be used to house cereals as demand for the company’s agri-bulk services continues to grow.

With a projected completion date of late October, the warehouse will also create at least two new jobs, adding to the current staff of 13.

The unit is the latest in a series of investments in the port by Rix Shipping.

In 2015, the firm spent £1m replacing an existing building at the site with modern storage facility and a year later, spent £1.6 min creating a 42,000 sq ft warehouse.

The firm has also invested in new plant, with the purchase of a Germanmanufactured materials handler at a cost of £1m.

James Doyle, managing director of Rix Shipping Scotland, said the investment recognised the strategic benefits of Montrose’s location.

He said: “Montrose is a busy port handling a diverse portfolio of commodities.

“It is well positioned for the import and export of North Sea oil and gas and has a thriving bulk handling business.

“Our interest remains largely in the handling of bulk commodities and we work closely with local farmers and agricultural co-operatives to understand their requirements from the port complex.

“This has driven our investment in Montrose. We know the demand for high quality, bulk storage exists so we have invested a significant sum in creating that.

“As a result, volumes through the port are growing year on year, which is great news for the ports themselves, but also local communities and the local economy.”

Rix Shipping Scotland is part of Yorkshire-based company J R Rix and Sons Ltd and manages vessels and stevedoring operations in Montrose from its base in Meridian Street.

Rix Shipping Scotland posted a strong performance in their latest accounts, with an increase in turnover from £1.8m in 2017 to £2.2m in the year ending December 31 2018.

Pre-tax profit for the firm soared from £44,727 in 2017 to £225,892 last year.

The company is also eyeing opportunities in the growing offshore renewables sector.

Mr Doyle said: “We are doing more in the windfarm sector and have a fleet of floating taxis that take technicians and material out to the turbines.”

Cessford. Picture: Kim Part of the Rix Shipping operation at Montrose.