Huber+Suhner has been recognised by Hitachi Rail Europe with a key supplier award for its contribution to the prestigious Intercity Express programme (IEP). This is bringing new Class 800/801 trains to two of the UK’s major rail routes. Huber+Suhner is supplying a range of Radox cables and Sencity Rail antennas for use in the train control and safety systems.
Under the UK Department of Transport’s IEP project, Hitachi Rail Europe is replacing older diesel-powered high-speed trains on the Great Western and East Coast Main Line routes across the UK with a fleet of 122 new Class 800/801 trains which go into service from 2017/2018. The first pre-series Super Express Train was unveiled earlier this month at Hitachi’s plant in Kasado, Japan. It is expected to arrive in the UK in March with trials beginning the following month.
Patrick Riederer, divisional manager for low frequency products for Huber+Suhner, received the award from Keith Jordan, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe. Speaking on behalf of Huber+Suhner, Patrick Riederer said, “Our rail cables and antennas have found a wide market acceptance across the globe and we are proud to play our part in this innovative project for the UK railway network.”
Jamie Foster, procurement director, Hitachi Rail Europe said, “The Hitachi Rail procurement team spent a long time looking for the best suppliers to provide high quality products, exceptional reliability and real value for money over the lifetime of our trains. With the companies we have recognised, we have found the right fit for us. We are proud that we have been able to find companies in Europe, including Huber+Suhner, to fulfil our requirements.”
