Hitachi Rail Europe shows its firm support for South West suppliers in building new Class 800/801 trains

London, September 8, 2014 – Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd. today announced that it is working with over 30 UK-based suppliers to build trains for the first phase of train delivery for the Government’s Intercity Express Programme.

Of those parts, systems and operations that Hitachi Rail Europe could have sourced from the UK for the new trains, 72% have indeed been purchased from UK-based businesses.

This includes pantographs from Somerset-based Brecknell Willis, fuel tanks from Johnson Security, located in Gloucester, brake systems from Somerset-based Knorr-Bremse, and flooring from Tiflex, located in Cornwall.

The confirmation comes as the rolling stock provider published a map highlighting the locations of its various manufacturers across the UK. It shows that the company’s supply chain is drawn from many different regions, including five businesses from the South West, four businesses from the South East, and two from the West Midlands.

Today’s announcement cements the company’s commitment to supporting UK businesses and developing the rail supply chain. Following the announcement earlier this year that Hitachi Rail would be moving its global HQ to London, this is another sign of its confidence in the growing UK rail sector.

Jamie Foster, Procurement Director at Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “We are delighted to be working with so many suppliers from across the UK in building our new Class 800 series trains for the Intercity Express Programme. Given the high requirements for quality and reliability in our trains, we were keen to work with companies that share our values in this regard. As the first three pre-series trains are now being manufactured in our factory, I cannot emphasise enough the high quality and quantity of services our suppliers have provided on the project thus far. We will continue working closely with each of them across the rest of the manufacturing and delivery schedule.”

Paul Goodhand, Managing Director of Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK added: "We are all delighted here to become partners to Hitachi Rail Europe and have already formed a close working relationship with this dynamic company.

"We are committed and indeed look forward, to supporting Hitachi Rail Europe in their UK manufacturing efforts, not only on the initial supply and commissioning of the brake system on this exciting new train, but also on providing support through its entire lifecycle, some twenty eight years into the future."

Barry Curtis, Sales Manager, Flooring, Treadmaster Flooring - Tiflex Ltd said: "We are extremely pleased to be involved on a second project with Hitachi, a world class leader in train manufacturing. It will strengthen our relationship, give us additional opportunities to work closely on new projects in the future and promote our profile in the industry."

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