WH Davis, the UK’s last surviving independent railway wagon manufacturer, is set to expand its workforce by a quarter after securing a €44 million export contract with Ireland.
The Derbyshire-based company, part of Buckland Rail, will supply 150 freight wagons to Iarnród Éireann, Ireland’s state-owned rail operator, in a deal supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF). Production is due to begin at its Shirebrook facility, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026 and the full order completed by the end of 2027.
The agreement, enabled through UKEF’s Bond Support Scheme, marks WH Davis’s return to exporting after two decades. Barclays, the company’s long-standing banking partner, issued the required capital after UKEF guaranteed 80% of the contract bond.
The contract is the first under a ten-year framework agreement that could eventually see as many as 400 wagons delivered. Management said the deal would allow WH Davis to increase its headcount from 80 to 100, creating new jobs in an ex-mining village where skilled employment opportunities have been scarce.
Andy Houghton, managing director of WH Davis, described the deal as a “landmark export contract” and said UKEF’s backing had provided the confidence and liquidity to grow. “We are proud to be shaping the future of rail freight. This is a significant milestone for WH Davis and reaffirms the strength of UK manufacturing on the international stage,” he said.
The new wagons will offer a third more carrying capacity than Ireland’s existing fleet and operate at speeds of up to 110km/h, compared with 80km/h at present. The upgrade is expected to support the Irish government’s efforts to expand rail freight as a greener alternative to road transport.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said the deal underscored the growth potential of British manufacturers. “WH Davis’s breakthrough into this market is a perfect example of how the right support can help unleash this potential,” he said. “Through our Plan for Small Businesses and Trade Strategy we’re removing barriers for SME exporters, creating high-paying jobs and supporting local economies.”
Tim Reid, chief executive of UKEF, said the deal demonstrated “the transformative power of export finance in revitalising local manufacturing and creating skilled jobs in communities like Shirebrook”.
Barclays has provided €28.7 million of UKEF-backed bonding facilities over three years to support the project. James Guthrie, UK head of mid-corporate trade at the bank, said the arrangement gave WH Davis “the flexibility and confidence to deliver on this contract and pursue further growth in Europe”.
The contract is seen as a major boost for the UK’s rail supply chain and could pave the way for WH Davis to target new European and international markets. Discussions are already under way for a second phase of orders, alongside potential product development.
Founded in 1908, WH Davis has remained a rare survivor of Britain’s once-dominant rail engineering sector. Its latest success comes amid renewed political focus on boosting exports and manufacturing as part of the government’s industrial strategy.
UKEF’s latest annual report shows it provided a record £14.5 billion in new financing in 2024/25, supporting 667 companies and up to 70,000 jobs. Ministers have billed such deals as central to their “Plan for Change” to stimulate growth and raise living standards across the UK.
