SOUTH WEST MANUFACTURERS WELCOME NEW GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO HIGH SPEED RAIL

Manufacturers in the south west have welcomed the new government’s commitment to a high speed rail network, saying it could be just the ticket for manufacturing in the region. Leading rail industry companies with sites in the south west, including Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK and Invensys Rail, believe the announcement to support the multi-billion pound rail project represents a significant business opportunity for the region. EEF, which represents manufacturers in the region from its office in Bristol, is now encouraging more regional businesses to focus on the opportunities that the infrastructure investment will bring. “This is a massive project with potentially significant benefits for manufacturers in our region, given the expertise that already resides in the South West,” says Clive Turner. “In companies such as Knorr-Bremse and Invensys Rail, we have market leaders in the rail sector which, together with an extended supply chain involving many smaller businesses, makes this opportunity an important driver for regional manufacturing.” Based in Melksham, Wiltshire, Knorr-Bremse has extensive experience in delivering equipment for high speed rail applications, including providing braking components for the latest generation of Shinkansen high-speed trains in Japan. Said Paul Goodhand, Managing Director: "We are delighted by the commitment of the new coalition Government towards the further development of a UK high speed rail network. We are perfectly placed to deliver world-leading technology from our modern manufacturing facilities based in Wiltshire and look forward to being involved in this exciting project. We believe it is a great opportunity for rail manufacturing in the South West.” Invensys Rail, with its HQ in Chippenham, is at the forefront of rail control and communication systems, and is delighted that the new government is committed to high speed rail links. The company's Business Development Director, Andy Harrison commented: “As a leader in signalling and control solutions, we certainly welcome a major commitment to the UK rail network. Invensys Rail has a strong track record of implementing high speed rail projects across Europe and, as a result, we clearly recognise both the commercial and sustainability benefits that the high speed project would deliver, supporting the growth of the UK economy. As a leading employer in the region, we also appreciate that the project could provide significant impetus to the south west economy; impacting not only on our own business but across the whole supply chain.” Clive Turner said that the rail infrastructure project was just one of a number of opportunities opening up for manufacturing in the south west. “We are already the UK’s first officially dedicated low carbon area, there are exciting opportunities in wind and wave energy and we continue to lead the way in high technology sectors such as aerospace and defence. Major infrastructure programmes inevitably require considerable advance planning and I would encourage all manufacturers to use this planning time to consider how they might be able to win a share of the available business, either individually or as part of a consortium.” Ends Media enquiries to: Clive Turner, EEF South West Region. Tel: 07795 416601 Philip Colley, Harvest. Tel: 023 9244 9655 Note to editors EEF EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is the representative voice of manufacturing in the UK. It has a growing membership of almost 6,000 companies of all sizes, employing some 900,000 people from every sector of engineering, manufacturing, engineering construction and technology-based industries. The EEF South West Region provides support for member companies across south west England and the south of Wales. It has offices in Bristol and Bridgend. The organisation exists for the benefit of its members and focuses on supporting and enhancing business activity by employing acknowledged experts in HR & employment law, health safety and environment, information and research and business improvement.

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