Knorr-Bremse has acquired service provider Westcode from Unipart Rail, which will unlock company’s opportunities to develop its already successful service business in the UK, supporting train technologies such as braking, climate control and entrance systems.
The expansion will allow Knorr-Bremse’s UK business to service and maintain more train subsystems, and so contribute to enhancing the availability of the region’s rail transport.
“RailServices is – alongside the provision of new equipment for trains – another major component of our business strategy and a long-term revenue generator that’s showing steady growth. As a reliable partner, we’re constantly seeking to expand the range of services we offer our customers – in key areas such as maintenance and repair, for example – so we can cover the entire train life cycle. In this respect, our acquisition of Westcode offers us great opportunities to expand our business and strengthen our local presence,” said Mario Beinert, responsible for the division’s RailServices business and Knorr-Bremse’s activities in the UK.
The Westcode acquisition brings with it a highly skilled workforce that will further boost Knorr-Bremse’s RailServices business. This will enable Knorr-Bremse to provide maintenance services for an even greater throughput of products, including air supply systems and the brake control units in train braking systems, as well as climate control and entrance systems. At the same time, RailServices will be able to service even more third-party components from other manufacturers. This flexible support is important for train operators, because it allows them to concentrate fully on their rail operations.
Westcode Incorporated was established in 1973 by Westinghouse Brakes to support its US customer base. Following success in the US, Westcode UK Limited established in 2000 with both companies providing high quality products and services to the global rail industry. The company has developed facilities in Calne, UK, Chadds Ford PA, USA and Binghamton NY, USA specifically for rail industry applications offering comprehensive solutions for a variety of rolling stock maintenance and refurbishment projects.
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