Mechan to supply both internal and external traversers for new Hitachi Rail Europe factory in Newton Aycliffe

Newton Aycliffe, 9 May, 2014 – Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd. today announced that it has selected Sheffield-based Mechan to supply both the internal and external traversers for its new Newton Aycliffe factory. The factory is building the brand new high speed trains for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP).

The confirmation comes as Darren Cumner from Hitachi Rail Europe and Richard Carr from Mechan put pen to paper on the contract at a signing ceremony at the site of Hitachi Rail Europe’s Newton Aycliffe factory.

The contract will see Mechan develop and produce two traversers for the factory, one internal and one external, that will be delivered in spring next year. The contract follows on from previous equipment Mechan has provided to Hitachi Rail Europe depots in Ashford and at North Pole (West London). Mechan has also recently been appointed by VolkerFitzpatrick to provide equipment drops for Hitachi’s Stoke Gifford depot with installation expected in Spring 2015.

Production of the traversers is taking place at Mechan’s Sheffield facilities, after which they will be sent to Newton Aycliffe for installation.

Mechan has affirmed that, as a result of the contract, it has been able to secure its workforce’s future for the next year.

Darren Cumner, Manufacturing Plant Manager, Hitachi Rail Europe said: “Mechan is recognised as one of the market leaders in depot handling systems and Hitachi Rail Europe has had a long-term relationship with Mechan on other programmes. As part of the build project for our factory, we conducted an extensive and competitive tendering process for these two traversers given their importance to production. This process reaffirmed to us that we were already working with the right partner who can match our expectations on quality and reliability. This award sees Hitachi Rail continue our strong relationship with Mechan.”

Richard Carr, Managing Director of Mechan, said: “This contract is fundamental to Mechan. We have been involved in the IEP and other Hitachi projects for the last 4-5 years, providing different types of equipment for depots across the country. We support our clients throughout the entire commissioning and manufacturing process and we are pleased Hitachi has chosen a local British company to manufacture these traversers. Almost 95% of our supply chain is in the UK and typically 80% of this is within just 20 miles of our Sheffield factory.”