This crucial component, manufactured by the renowned Valmet AB, represents a major investment in cutting-edge technology and signals a new era for our operations. The journey of this impressive piece of equipment was a complex undertaking, beginning in Karlstad, Sweden. From there, it was transported by sea on the vessel m/v Laurierborg, traversing the waters to reach the UK.

The final leg of its journey involved a carefully orchestrated 14-mile road transport, requiring meticulous planning and execution. This slow-moving load, due to its size and weight, necessitated a police escort to ensure the safety of all road users. The route traversed key arterial roads, including the M53, A5117, A540, A550, and A548, culminating in its arrival at our Deeside Industrial Park site.

The delivery, strategically scheduled for the late evening of Saturday, 8th March, 2025, and continuing into the morning and early afternoon of Sunday, 9th March, 2025, was executed with precision. This timeframe was chosen to minimize disruption to daytime traffic flows. Specialists in heavy haulage Allelys, managed the transportation which was executed smoothly.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the North Wales Police, local authorities, and all other agencies involved in the seamless execution of this complex operation. Their expertise and cooperation were instrumental in ensuring the safe and efficient transport of this critical component.

Furthermore, we express our heartfelt appreciation to the travelling public for their understanding and patience during this period. We recognize that the slow-moving delivery may have caused some inconvenience, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown by everyone affected.

The arrival of the Yankee dryer cylinder is a tangible milestone in the construction of TM1. This machine, when fully operational, will significantly enhance our production capabilities and reinforce our commitment to delivering high-quality tissue products.

This project represents a significant investment in the future of Shotton Mill and the local economy. We are excited to witness TM1 taking shape and look forward to sharing further updates as we progress towards completion.

Stay tuned for more news and developments from Shotton Mill as we continue to build a brighter future for tissue paper production.