South African company DCD Rolling Stock has been acquired by the TMH Africa joint venture of Russia's Transmashholding (70%) and empowerment partner Mjisa Investments (30%) for a reported R500m. TMH intends to use the business as a local manufacturing partner for global suppliers, and to enter the wider African rail market.
European Commission Vice-President for the Euro & Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis visited Talgo's Madrid plant on June 8 to see how a €30m EIB loan agreed in December 2017 under the Investment Plan for Europe ‘Juncker Plan’ is being used to fund he development of a prototype short and medium-distance EMU as well as improvements to high speed and suburban train technology. ‘Talgo's research and development project is a good example of what the EU budget guarantee has been supporting’, said Dombrovskis. ‘By investing in developing state-of-the-art technology, Talgo is able to improve the services offered to train passengers in Spain, making a tangible difference to the daily commute, as well as for travellers on longer journeys. The project also means jobs are supported across the entire supply chain.’
Delachaux Group has opened a production site in Wuhan with more than 200 employees which will supply rail infrastructure, energy and data management products for China and other Asian markets.
TICS Rail Signalling has opened an office in Kettering, saying this will enhance its works testing capability and increase its ability to deliver signalling design, installation, testing and commissioning in southern England.
Hitachi Ltd has been awarded Authorised Engineering Organisation status by Transport for New South Wales' Asset Standards Authority, certifying the integrity and robustness of Hitachi's quality systems and management processes.
EP Industries Ltd has secured £500 000 from Finance Birmingham's Rail Supply Growth Fund to enable the development of a road-rail vehicle testing, upgrading and repair facility at Alfreton in Derbyshire.
On June 7 Knorr-Bremse issued an additional corporate bond following its 2016 bond issue, with a volume of €750m, fixed coupon rate of 1.125% per annum and seven-year term. ‘By issuing this corporate bond, we gain more flexibility – we can use the additional liquid assets to take advantage of growth opportunities', said CFO Ralph Heuwing. ‘At the same time, we are optimising our capital structure.'
UK company Global Rail Construction’s quality management has been audited as compliant with ISO 9001:2015.
