ON JUNE 29 Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems’ UK and Ireland headquarters and production facility at Melksham in Wiltshire (RG p5.05 p285) was formally opened by Managing Director Paul Johnson and Knorr-Bremse Rail AG executive board member Dr Dieter Wilhelm.
The ceremony marked the completion of the relocation of the braking system and platform screen door manufacturer from the former Westinghouse Brakes plant 12 km away in Chippenham.
The Westinghouse Brakes company name has been replaced by Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems, with Westinghouse Brakes retained as a brand name and Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors and Railservices operating as business divisions.
Transfer of staff and production to the 8400m2 facility on the outskirts of Melksham began in March, and was completed during May. The £10m plant has been built on a greenfield site to Knorr-Bremse’s design requirements, bringing all activities under one roof.
Design started in 2002, with efforts made to rationalise workflow to improve efficiency. Machinery has been customised in conjunction with suppliers. The strip-and-clean section of the site used for refurbishment work has been built with dedicated drainage to protect the environment.
CAPTION: A time capsule was sealed by (left to right) board Chairman Dr Frank Gropengießer, Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems Managing Director Paul Johnson and executive board members Dr Albrecht K
