Member Article

Hitachi appoint Seaham-based firm to supply railway overhaul

Hitachi and Merchant Place Developments have appointed County Durham-based Business & Enterprise Group to seek out specialist equipment suppliers.

The Japanese conglomerate is looking for sources to back its Intercity Express manufacturing project, after it was announced in July, which will update the infrastructure, rolling stock and franchise needs of Britain’s trains.

The appointment follows confirmation from the Department of Transport for the generation of trains at Merchant’s Amazon Park in County Durham.

Business & Enterprise Group have been engaged to procure suppliers and experts in specialist equipment, and are currently gathering expressions of interest for the scheme.

Hitachi and Merchant Place Developments will require equipment sources for a range of services across the project, including assembly, storage, lifting and weighing.

The Intercity Express Programme is a £4.5bn investment and hopes to create over 900 jobs within the project.

Britain’s railway routes will be improved after new rail carriages are constructed for Great Western and East Coast main lines, while the first units are expected to become operational by 2017.

Nicki Clark, Chief Operating Officer of Business & Enterprise Group, said: “This is an enormous opportunity for businesses to become part of a new global supply chain.

“We’ll be working hard with a wide range of partners to make sure that businesses get every opportunity to participate in this important inward investment project.”

Mr Clark further urged relevant businesses to contact the group to show interest in the scheme.

Geoff Hunton, Director, Merchant Place Developments, commented: “We are delighted to be bringing a major global company and this landmark project to Newton Aycliffe.

“We have already held two open days for contractors. The BE Group will now help us to build on that and make sure we reach out to the suppliers who will make sure this is an exceptional project in every way”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .