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

Newton Aycliffe, 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 lighting from Manchester-based BMAC, fire testing systems from Exova, located in Warrington, anti-roll bars from Littlehampton-based Ferrabyrne, and wheelsets from Lucchini UK, located in Manchester.

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 four businesses from the North West, three businesses from the North East, and three from Yorkshire and the Humber.

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 hope to continue working closely with each of them across the rest of the manufacturing and delivery schedule.”

Chris Fawdry, Managing Director of Lucchini UK, said: “The IEP contract is fundamental to Lucchini UK. It confirms our place at the forefront of high speed wheelset technology and manufacture and is a recognition of the excellent service that we maintained when we supplied to Hitachi all the new wheelsets for the Javelin trains that are so successful on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link between St Pancras and the South Coast, a level of service that we continue to provide now for the maintenance of those same wheelsets and gearboxes.”

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