France: Alstom Transport has reported turnover of 874m euros for the first quarter to June 30, down from 1·02bn euros in the first quarter of 1999-2000. Orders were however up from 1·02bn euros to 1·14bn euros.
Sema Group has formed a strategic global alliance with SAP to provide software solutions for the passenger transport market.
SNCFParticipations has signed an agreement with British holding company Rentokil International paving the way for the sale of Rentokil’s subsidiary Rouch Intermodal to Segi, boosting SNCF’s intermodal business. Rouch had a turnover of Fr180m in 1999.
Germany: On July 18 Siemens Verkehrstechnik signed an agreement to take a 50% stake in Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe’s tram maintenance business Leipziger Fahrzeugservice-Betriebe. This will form the basis of a new centre of competence for maintenance of rolling stock including the Siemens locomotive leasing pool (p559). Siemens has also agreed to create a similar joint venture from LVB’s infrastructure subsidiary LIB.
Coach refurbishment specialist PFA has been sold by owner Schaltbau to Alpha Bravo Investments NV, based in Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles.
The Safety Test Solutions division of Wandel & Goltermann has been acquired by L-3 Communications of the USA, parent of Narda Microwave Group. The two businesses have been combined as Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH, offering equipment and services for the measurement of electromagnetic fields.
Great Britain: Electrical equipment manufacturer LPA Group has acquired Excil Electronics and Haswell Engineers for a total consideration of £4m.
Halma plc has set up a new subsidiary, Cressall Transit, to integrate the recently-acquired Cutler-Hammer range of high-power resistors with its own Cressall Resistors business. Cressall Transit will supply all rail customers from the Cutler-Hammer plant in Melton Constable, with Cressall Resistors’ electrotechnical business remaining in Leicester.
AEA Technology has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Railtrack, which currently uses the company’s Low Adhesion Warning System as well as software to manage track quality. The three-year agreement includes a two-year extension option.
Ireland: Corus Rail Consultancy of Great Britain has opened a Dublin office. Five staff will be working with Iarnród éireann personnel on a scheme to increase capacity for suburban services between Dublin Heuston and Hazelhatch & Celbridge, due for completion by September 2004 at a cost of úIr160m.
Netherlands: Following certification by NS Railinfrabeheer, Grontmij Maunsell Infrastructure Consultancy Services bv is now eligible to undertake design of infrastructure and of pilot signalling and power supply projects. The joint venture partners have already collaborated on tender designs for five HSL-Zuid track substructure contracts.
Spain: Following its acquisition by Albatros Group, air-conditioning equipment manufacturer Stone Ibérica SA has been renamed Merak. Albatros has also acquired SEPSA, whose products include static converters and passenger information systems.
Switzerland: Ascom has acquired Fahel AG, a supplier of passenger information systems.
USA: Wabtec Corp is to buy back up to US$75m of common stock using cash from operations or an existing credit agreement. Under an accelerated restructuring programme, Wabtec expects to achieve a 15% reduction in its workforce by the end of this year, including the transfer of product lines to Mexico.
