BOSSES behind a family transport operator’s container storage venture are anticipating further expansion after reporting record growth.

Officials at the £2.6m Tees Riverside Intermodal Park, in Middlesbrough, say the site now has more than 300 units in storage.

The base formed part of a £12.5m investment by third generation company AV Dawson, which saw the business strengthen connections to the East Coast Main Line, create a new deepwater River Tees quay and open a £6.5m shed to handle hundreds of thousands of tonnes of automotive steel coil every year.

Trains to the latter deliver cargo from Tata Steel’s south Wales operations, with a dehumidification system in place to keep the coil in perfect condition.

Paul Wilson, Tees Riverside Intermodal Park manager, said the operation is overseeing deliveries of countless products, such as chemicals, cooking oil and confectionery, adding it is working with operators including Bulkhaul, which was founded by Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson.

He added: “We’ve seen record growth over the last 12 months. The UK container market is increasing at a phenomenal rate and it is great to see this rippling through to us.

“When we built the facility we came from a standing start as we hadn’t had much demand for container storage.

“However, we knew it would fit seamlessly with the other services we provide, particularly the container transport services.

“We are working with some of the largest operators in the world including MacAndrews, in Felixstowe, and Bulkhaul.”

Mr Wilson said he expects the park’s rail links to further help its progress.

He added: “Containers and construction materials are the main two sectors seeing growth in rail traffic at the minute, so we’re confident another phase of growth is ahead of us.”

AV Dawson was founded by Vernie and Eleanor Dawson in 1938, who spent £50 on horse Dina, her shoes and a cart to deliver coal.