This week’s news from the global railway supply chain.
Ingenieurbüro Rörden and PJM have launched a Graz-based EMC Rail Services partnership to pool their expertise and resources in electromagnetic compatibility testing for rolling stock and infrastructure. The focus is on the Austrian market, neighbouring countries and those to the south and east including the Czech Republic, Italy and Croatia.
Leasing company Railpool has secured subordinated financing of €200m. The financing has been arranged with the support of Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank as debt advisor, private placement agent and facility/security agent. Legal advice was provided by CMS Hasche Sigle for Railpool and Watson Farley & Williams for the investors. ‘We are very pleased to implement this financing together with additional investors from Singapore, the USA and Germany’, said CFO Ingo Wurzer on August 11. ‘Welcoming new investors broadens our financing base and supports us in continuing our successful growth path.’
Perth-based heavy equipment attachment manufacturer Hammertech has opened a fabrication and repair facility in Karratha to serve rail, mining and construction customers in Australia’s Pilbara region. ‘A lot of the rail attachments we manufacture in Perth end up being used in the Pilbara. Opening a facility in Karratha was the next logical step. It brings us closer to our clients and gives us the agility to mobilise and deliver faster on the ground’, said founder and Managing Director Jarrod Whitbourne.
Dutch national passenger operator NS is to use Wiremind’s CAYZN revenue management platform to predict demand, optimise pricing and allocate capacity more efficiently.
The Australasian Railway Association has launched a Supplier Capability Directory to support procurers and decision makers by showcasing the services and expertise of its member organisations.
Alstom has opened a centre of excellence for advanced signalling technologies in Astana. This will supply the Ebilock 950 system already used at 85 stations in Kazakhstan, and serve as a platform for training, adapting software and providing maintenance and certification services.
Michael Obertop has joined Texas-based wagon cleaning and repair company LS Environmental Solutions as National Rail Solutions Sales Director. He has previously held roles at Carboline, Cathcart Rail and GBW Railcar Services.
Texol Steel Technology has begun construction of a factory to produce cast steel parts for wagons at Atyrau in Kazakhstan. It is planned to open in 2027 and have a capacity of up to 60 000 tonnes of finished products per year, using domestic raw materials.