Sinara Transport Machines and Eurotrans Group have formed STM Kazakhstan as a 75:25 joint venture to supply and maintain rolling stock and track maintenance equipment and provide infrastructure services such as rail welding and grinding in the country. ‘Expanding our export presence is one of our top priorities’, said STM Deputy CEO Anton Zubikhin. ‘We began our work to strengthen the position of STM in Kazakhstan in 2020, and the creation of a separate subsidiary is a logical continuation of our expansion into this market. Our partner Eurotrans Group is one of the largest players in the railway logistics market in Kazakhstan.’
Nicole Brewin, Senior Vice-President of Government & Public Affairs at the US Railway Supply Institute, said the passing of the American Rescue Plan Act was ‘a critical step for railway suppliers and their customers, and we applaud leaders in the House, Senate and Biden Administration for their work in crafting and advancing this important bill. Among other provisions, this bill includes $30·5bn for public transit agencies and an additional $1·7bn for Amtrak. These much-needed funds will help ensure that our customers can continue to serve riders and communities across the nation, and by extension the hundreds of railway suppliers who support those operations. RSI also commends Congress for ensuring that key programmes such as the Paycheck Protection Program were funded in this package, which has provided an important lifeline to many small and mid-sized businesses in the railway supply industry during this pandemic.’
Rail Baltica project promoter RB Rail has awarded EWI Recruitment and a partnership of Linum Consult and Brunel Energy Europe two-year contracts worth €5·5m to provide temporary professional staff for various engineering, project management, health, safety quality, and environmental positions. ‘The need for short-term specialists is a common practice in large infrastructure projects in situations where specific one-off tasks are planned or a rapid increase in workload over a fixed period is expected’, said Chief Programme Officer Mark Loader. ‘Also the selection of permanent staff for high speed rail specialists in the Baltic States and elsewhere in Europe can take more than six months, which is why in such situations temporary specialists are involved to ensure continuous project progress and meet the deadlines.’
Leeds-based transport analytics group Tracsis has acquired London-based Flash Forward Consulting, which was established in 2012 and operates across the rail and bus sectors. A Tracsis Transport Consultancy business unit has been created by combining Tracsis’ existing Rail Consulting and Passenger Analytics businesses with FFC, with former FFC CEO Alex Warner as Managing Director. Law firm Hugh James advised on the acquisition
ERTMS and telecoms testing and monitoring company Comtest Wireless has obtained ISO 9001: 2015 certification for its quality management systems.
Billy Ainsworth has been elected to the Trinity Industries board, and will serve as a member of the Finance & Risk Committee and Corporate Governance & Directors Nominating Committee. Ainsworth was President & CEO of Progress Rail Services from 1993 until 2019, and Group President of Caterpillar’s Energy & Transportation business from 2019 until his retirement in 2020. ‘His strong business acumen and extensive rail industry knowledge, as well as his emphasis on the customer experience during his tenured career at Caterpillar will be a tremendous asset to Trinity’, said Non-Executive Chairman Leldon E Echols.
Law firm Sidley Austin, which has represented various private sector rail projects, has joined the US High Speed Rail Association.
Fare payment technology company Flowbird Group has announced the appointment of David Thompson as Managing Director of Flowbird Transport Intelligence (UK). He takes over from Owen Griffith, who is taking on a new role focused on business strategy and growth. ‘David takes over the leadership of our UK-based transport operations at a time of significant opportunity in the mobility landscape, as authorities and operators look to transform how they meet the needs of citizens through the greater integration of transport services and payments’, said company President Bertrand Barthélemy on March 10.
Testing and certification specialist Belgorail has acquired Dutch company HHC/DRS, strengthening its presence in the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia. HHC/DRS focuses on the certification and approval of track machinery, small plant and road-rail vehicles in line with European standards.