Australia: Fare collection equipment supplier ERG Group is to acquire Motorola’s interest in the ERG Motorola Alliance for A$46m, subject to approval by ERG’s shareholders. ERG will assume responsibility for all existing projects, and the companies will continue to co-operate to support current Alliance customers.
The Downer Group is to take over Evans Deakin Industries. 91% of EDI shareholders accepted the offer, and the rest of the shares are to be acquired compulsorily.
Brazil: T’Trans has acquired a former RFFSA workshop at Três Rios in Rio de Janeiro state, having previously undertaken rolling stock refurbishment work at premises leased from Santa Matilde. Bombardier is providing technical assistance to T’Trans, which hopes to enter the new build market for metro cars.
France:Vogel Sitze has opened a seat factory at Saint-Rambert-d’Albon, where the company had a distribution office.
Great Britain: Corus Rail Consultancy has launched an environmental management consultancy service, to be headed by Mark Pendry.
AEA Technology Rail ’continues to thrive in a strong market’, but AEA’s four other divisions have suffered from weak markets, leading to the issuing of the group’s third profit warning in two years.
Building systems and software company Eleco has agreed with US-based Zeta-Tech Associates to distribute its software for track maintenance and management within Britain. Distribution will be handled by Eleco subsidiary Abtus Keeway Rail.
International: South Africa’s TLC Software has signed a reciprocal agreement with Indian shock absorber supplier Bharat Udyog, enabling TLC to submit tenders for weigh-in-motion and wheel impact monitors (WIM-WIM) for Indian Railways.
Italy: On March 7 the Finmeccanica board announced plans to set up three separate operating companies: AnsaldoBreda SpA, (now Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie), Ansaldo Trasporti-Sistemi Ferroviari SpA, and Ansaldo Signal NV. All three will initially be controlled by Ansaldo Trasporti SpA, but control will later transfer to Finmeccanica SpA. The board instigated proceedings to incorporate Ansaldo Trasporti SpA into Finmeccanica SpA.
USA: Wagon builder Greenbrier Companies Inc reported revenue of $619·4m for 2000, up from $618·5m in 1999. Manufacturing generated $528·2m, the rest coming from leasing and services.
