Czech Republic: CKD Praha Holding Co took over MSV Studénka on February 25, adding it to the CKD Transport Systems group.
Europe: Following the merger of Cardo Group of Sweden with Thyssen Industrie of Germany to create the holding company Cardo BSI Rail, the SAB Wabco Group now comprises SAB Wabco, BSI, Davies & Metcalfe, Gutehoffnungshütte Radsatz and Tebel Technologies.
France: Schneider SA has sold its Spie subsidiary to a joint venture of management and employees with AMEC of Great Britain for £37·6m.
Dardel Measuring & Control International has purchased the Mors railway relays division and manufacturing plant.
Great Britain: Brown & Root has taken over consultancy TMG International, apart from TMG’s Signalling Design group, sold separately to a management buy-out.
Hungary: The Viacom Hungarian-Italian joint venture company has been formed to carry out electrification work on MAV’s Szekesfehervar - Szombathely, Balatonszentgyorgy - Murakeresztur and Ujpest - Vacratot routes. Cogeco of Italy holds 51% and MAV 30%.
Netherlands: NS has sold its infrastructure maintenance and line construction activities to Volker Stevin, NBM Amstelland and Strukton. Permanent way contracts will go out to competitive tender from 2000.
Poland: On February 28 GEC Alsthom completed its purchase of a 60% stake in Konstal of Chorzów (RG 12.96 p787) ; the state retains 25% of shares, and employees the remaining 15%.
Switzerland: SBB has formed a joint venture with UBS, Migros and BT of Britain, in association with Tele Danemark, known as New Telco. It aims to capture 10% of the Swiss telecoms market and will bid to operate the country’s second digital mobile phone network.
