Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine Volume 420 - September 2015 | Page 70

railtex.qxp_feature 2 05/08/2015 15:38 Page 68 RAIL RAILTEX RAILTEX 2015 IS A SUCCESS The latest technology, equipment and innovations were exhibited at the most effective Railtex for years 4 Railtex is the all encompassing showcase for technological innovation across all sectors of the rail supply market. Against a backdrop of continuing investment in rail and significant ongoing projects, Railtex provides a timely opportunity for companies serving the rail market to highlight their capabilities and showcase their products and services. Nearly 7,500 rail industry professionals visited the recent Railtex 2015 exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham from 12 to 14 May. A total of 468 leading suppliers took part in the successful show, presenting their latest technology, equipment and innovations during an event regarded as the most effective Railtex for years. 68 Participants included many of the best known firms supplying the UK rail market. There was a high-profile presence by Bombardier Transportation, which is currently delivering new trains for London Underground and Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern, and will soon be supplying rolling stock for the capital’s Crossrail project. The Hitachi Rail Europe stand featured a model of the intercity trains the firm is to build at its new County Durham factory for the Department for Transport’s IEP programme, plus its vehicle concepts for future UK high-speed lines. Also present was Siemens, which will deliver the first new Thameslink trains later this year and is also supplying new trainsets to Eurostar. They were joined by a vast range of highly spe- MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE cialised companies covering every sector of a very diversified supply chain. While British-based companies predominated, there was an increased presence by foreign companies seeking opportunities in a UK rail market that is enjoying unprecedented levels of investment. Most notable were exhibitors from China, principally train builders China CNR Corporation and CSR Sifang, soon to be merged to form the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer. The latter company chose Railtex for the official signing of cooperation agreements with three leading UK universities to establish a centre for railway research and development. Railtex 2015 was not only about business transactions, though: an extensive and wideranging programme of speeches and presen-