Interfleet Technology, Sponsor

 

This is Interfleet Technology’s eleventh consecutive year as a supporter of the Rail Business Awards; we are delighted to continue to sponsor the ‘best of the best’ Business of the Year category.

Jonathan Wragg, UK Regional Director, says: “Our continued commitment to the awards shows how strongly we value supporting and encouraging business achievements within the UK rail industry”.

Interfleet is one of the leading advisers for rolling stock, infrastructure, railway systems and railway business management. Operating from 24 international offices on 4 continents, Interfleet has more than 600 experienced staff.

Interfleet continues to be active across the rail industry. For example Interfleet’s UK engineering teams are providing Independent Verification services for Reliance Rail, for the manufacture of new double-deck trainsets for use on commuter services in Sydney, Australia. Interfleet is also providing project engineering services to vehicle operator, National Express, and vehicle owner, Lloyds TSB, for the procurement of new vehicles for the Stansted Express service.

Further afield, Interfleet opened a new Indian office in February 2010, which is already supporting a range of major projects including the Mumbai Metro (where Interfleet is supporting the manufacture of new EMU trains); the Delhi Airport Express; and the Mumbai Monorail.

In June 2010 Interfleet acquired Die Ingenieurwerkstatt, a leading European consultancy for safety engineering, maintenance optimisation, railway asset management and rail franchising. This brings new and complementary skills and experience and increases Interfleet’s operations and service offering across central Europe.

Further international developments include Interfleet’s growing involvement in North America where it is involved with a number of new rail projects, including high speed and commuter rail.

Interfleet is also further developing its service offering in the environmental field, having recruited Andrew Grainger to head its sustainability and environment section. Andrew is experienced in leading the delivery of transport and railway projects relating to sustainability and the environment.

Jonathan Wragg concludes: “We’re continuing to build the Interfleet brand and our offering on an international level. As we mark our eleventh year of sponsorship, we're delighted to be able to celebrate our clients' business success through our continued support of the awards".

Website: http://www.interfleet-technology.com

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Institution of Railway Operators, IRO

 
Website: http://www.railwayoperators.org

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VTG Rail UK, Sponsor

 

As leaders of the pack, it is appropriate that market leading wagon hire company VTG Rail UK will be sponsoring the inaugural Freight Excellence category in the Rail Business Awards. “We are thrilled to be supporting an award that solely recognises excellence within the rail freight sector,” says Rob Brook, VTG’s Managing Director. “Rail freight companies make an enormous contribution not only to the economy but also to the environment by cutting the number of journeys made by road, and it’s fantastic that there is now a specific award that highlights the innovation, the progress and the success being achieved within the rail freight market in the UK.”

VTG’s own business activities have continued to expand in the last 12 months.  In May, the company moved offices to a new, larger base at Quinton Business Park in Birmingham.  The expansion of its offices reflects VTG’s growing services portfolio, which in addition to having the largest wagon fleet available for hire in the UK with around 2,000   vehicles, includes bespoke wagon management services and its market leading sale and lease back deals.  Becoming ever more popular, VTG’s sale and lease back solution provides wagon owners with a hassle free and cost effective way of converting old or derelict wagons into new, leading edge railway vehicles. Under the terms of the deal VTG buys the customer’s wagons thus relieving the customer of the wagon owner’s responsibility for meeting stringent legal requirements involved in the operation, maintenance and modification of rolling stock.  Clients who have recently taken advantage of the service include steel producer Corus and multi-national building materials company Tarmac.

As well as transforming old wagons into bespoke new ones, during 2008 VTG proudly introduced the first aluminium bogie cement wagons into the UK, with new fleets being supplied to both Castle and Lafarge Cement.  With an 80 tonne payload per wagon, track friendly 75 mph bogies and the aluminium body construction maximising load capacity, a single 14–wagon train journey is the equivalent of around 35 lorry movements by road.   

VTG also prides itself on technical excellence and leads the way in the private wagon hire sector, with recent projects including the company being the first in the UK to conduct research into the effects of carrying bio fuel in rail wagons, ensuring that their customers can be confident that the wagons are safe to transport the fuels of the future. 

“The last twelve months have been really exciting for us,” says Rob Brook, “as we worked together with organisations to deliver not only new wagon types but modify existing stock to really accelerate the financial benefits of moving materials by rail. Whilst the current economic situation will present significant challenges for us all in 2009, we believe the prospects for rail freight remains very good, as more and more companies look to rail freight to provide the environmental answers that haulage by road just cannot give.”
Website: http://www.vtg-rail.co.uk

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ATA-Rail, Sponsor

 

As a specialist recruitment provider supporting the rail sector ATA Rail are proud to be sponsoring the Evesholt Rail Business Manager of the Year.

ATA Rails recruitment team have collectively over 50 years of rail recruitment experience. With a full appreciation of the requirements to work in the Rail industry, ATA sources permanent and contract candidates to work with clients that build, maintain and operate the UK's various rail and clients that operate overseas.

'The capability to transfer recruits across industry boundaries has made ATA Rail an essential part of many clients recruitment process, and helped to continue to increase the skills talent pool in the Rail industry,' commented Scott Bulloch Head of Rail for ATA.

The combination of a leading rail recruitment and training business enables ATA to provide clients with cost effective innovative solutions through combining recruitment and training services to help 'bridge the skill gaps' in the industry. The broad range of capability within the group, coupled with a bespoke rather than 'off the peg' approach to solutions, ensures each individual client receives increased added value. 'Whilst most clients have similarities in their needs, it is understanding their unique differences that allows you to differentiate and deliver a better service,' said Scott.

'Following on from the success of sponsoring the category of Rail Business Manager of the Year in 2008 and 2009, it was not a difficult decision to continue our support in 2010. The recognition of excellence in performance is a virtue that we hold extremely highly within our own organisation, and I very much look forward to presenting the award to the worthy winner on the night,' commented Scott.

Website: http://www.ata-selection.co.uk

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Railnews, Sponsor

 

Railnews is pleased to support the HSBC Rail Business Awards, sponsoring the Excellence in Internal Communications category. As the national newspaper communicating with railway staff for over 40 years, Railnews was a logical sponsor for this new award in 2006.

Railnews is widely read throughout the rail industry - circulating 63,000 copies every month, with a total of around 200,000 readers, according to independent research.

The paper was originally launched in 1963, selling for sixpence (2.5p). After Sir Peter Parker, who placed great emphasis on good internal communications, became British Rail chairman in 1977 Railnews was issued free to all employees until BR was privatised 10 years ago.

British Rail closed Railnews in October 1996 but a small group of former rail managers, led by Cyril Bleasdale and Alan Marshall, acquired and registered the title and re-launched Railnews under independent ownership four months later.

Since February 1997 over eight million copies of Railnews have been printed and circulated throughout the industry. Most of the major employers, including Network Rail and many train operating companies, arrange for their staff to receive copies.

Railnews readers are spread right across the industry - freight and passenger train operating companies account for 44%; Network Rail and its principal suppliers, 35%; consultancies, 6%; traction and rolling stock build and maintenance, 5%; and personal subscribers, 10%.

Independent research shows 36% of readers have a degree, or technical or professional qualification, and 36% are in the middle manager, senior manager/professional or board level/Director categories.

"The paper's great popularity has been confirmed by independent research," says managing director Cyril Bleasdale. "This has shown Railnews is by far the most popular source of news and information for rail staff.

"Asked about how readers ‘obtained information recently about things that affect your job and about railway matters' 61% said from Railnews. The other most popular information source, for 39% of people, was ‘The Grapevine'."

Railnews also scored highly for ‘helpfulness' (81%) - the next most helpful source being ‘notices on boards' (68%) and ‘team briefing' (67%).

"But Railnews' greatest strength is its objective and dispassionate news coverage by our editorial team, which combines professional railway people and specialist journalists," says Cyril Bleasdale. "The last research gave Railnews a 75% ‘objectivity/dispassionate' rating, compared to 54% for company newsletters."

Website: http://www.railnews.co.uk

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Woodhouse Communications, Organiser

 

Woodhouse Communications

 

The Rail Business Awards are owned and organised by Woodhouse Communications.

Established in 1998, Woodhouse is a leading full-service PR agency, specialising in providing communication solutions for the transport industry.

Started by Paul and Kim Lawson, who between them have over 40 years’ experience in the rail sector, Woodhouse Communications has become a well-known name amongst transport journalists and has a proven track record in delivering results.

From events management and media relations, to news releases, marketing support and advertising, Woodhouse offers a wide range of services to suit every budget, helping organisations communicate more effectively with their target audiences.

Working right across the transport industry, Woodhouse has helped organisations such as GB Railfreight, VTG, SSP UK, Raileasy, ATOC, The Railway Benefit Fund, Network Rail, the Institution of Railway Operators, National Rail Enquiries and others achieve their public relations, internal communications and marketing objectives.

Paul Lawson explains: “It was always our aim, with the creation of Woodhouse, to combine our considerable knowledge and expertise of the UK’s railways to create a specialist agency to help companies who work in the industry to raise their profile.”

By developing a working relationship that combine the accountability of an external supplier with the intimate feel of an in-house team, Woodhouse Communications can help you secure national and international coverage, hold high profile media events, produce inspiring external and internal publications and host imaginative corporate hospitality functions.

To find out more about Woodhouse Communications visit:

Website: http://www.woodhousecommunications.co.uk

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The Chartered Institute For Logistics And Transport, Supporter

 

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK) - is the professional body for individuals and organisations involved in all disciplines, modes and aspects of logistics and transport.

CILT's Chief Executive, Steve Agg FCILT, says: "We exist to promote professionalism in all aspects of our industry, and so we fully support the aims of the HSBC Rail Business Awards and are delighted to be closely involved again this year."

As the focus for the on-going development of professional excellence and the promotion of the most modern techniques in logistics and transport, the Institute aims to encourage the adoption of policies that are both efficient, sustainable and respond to the challenges of a changing world.

Its primary objective is education and training and a key challenge for CILT is the promotion of professional development through formal learning to offset the chronic skills shortages in both disciplines.

The Institute's 20,000 members have privileged access to a unique range of benefits and services designed to support members personally and professionally throughout their careers, such as online access to one of the largest library and information resources in Europe.

A network of 25 specialist Forums, which include the Strategic Rail, Passenger Transport, Transport Planning and the Freight Transport Forums, coupled with CILT members and contacts in over 50 countries around the world, help the Institute's members connect with worldwide expertise.

The Institute provides a comprehensive qualifications programme to enhance the knowledge, competence and respect of individuals working in logistics and transport. Its professional qualifications are recognised within the UK and worldwide as a statement of professional achievement and ability.

Contact: +44 (0)1536 740104

Website: http://www.ciltuk.org.uk

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Railway Industry Association, Supporter

 

The Railway Industry Association is the business focus of Britain's railway supply industry. Our members include manufacturers, maintainers, contractors, consultants, leasing companies and providers of specialist services to the world's railways. Between them they provide virtually all the products and services needed to maintain, renew or build railway systems and their capabilities range from restructuring and modernisation of entire railways to supply of small highly-specialised components.

Members benefit from a wide range of services, including a comprehensive supply of information, representation, seminars and networking opportunities. RIA represents members and their interests to railway, government, technical and other official bodies. RIA is recognised as the trade body for the supply industry and plays an active role in discussions and consultations at all levels.

A current focus of much activity is on supply chain improvement. RIA has developed an initiative known as VIP - the Value Improvement Programme - based on experience gained from the aviation and automotive industries. Established techniques are used to transform relationships between business partners and dramatic efficiencies and productivity improvements have been achieved in pilot studies. Application of the VIP is now being rolled out across the industry.

RIA is actively involved in the development of technical standards and organises industry participation in the relevant British and European standards committees. Representatives have taken a leading part in the development and implementation of the Technical Standards of the EU Interoperability Directives. We also participate actively in the activities of UNIFE, the European trade association for the railway supply industry, and EFRTC, the European Federation of Railway Trackworks Contractors.

Privatisation of Britain's main line railways has transferred to the industry he design, production and management skills of the national railway. Combined with the innovation and flexibility of the private sector, this has given British industry an unequalled total capability in the supply, equipment, maintenance and operation of railway systems of all kinds. RIA seeks to promote activities of its members in markets around the world, whether as direct exports from the UK or through partnerships with local companies. Support provided to British companies included arranging trade missions both to and from the UK and the organisation of UK pavilions at trade fairs around the world.

RIA's comprehensive website at www.riagb.org.uk contains more information about the Association itself and about UK industry generally. RIA operates a one-stop advice service for sourcing equipment, services and expertise from the UK and the website includes a searchable directory of all members.

Website: http://www.riagb.org.uk

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Railway Benefit Fund, Nominated charity

 

The Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is a charity that provides help and support to people who face problems of all kinds throughout the UK’s railway industry. The RBF offers financial assistance, practical help and wide-ranging advice to any needy active and retired staff and their dependents.

Every year, the RBF gives around £500,000.

Founded in 1858, the charity has had some famous names associated with it. Its early presidents included writer Charles Dickens and the Prince of Wales, later King Edward V!!. Queen Victoria donated funds and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was the charity’s Patron for 63 years.

Although much is different in the railway world today compared to that of 150 years ago, in another sense nothing has changed. The RBF’s aim now, as it was then, is to help those in need. That work continues - and you can help. The RBF relies on the support of those throughout the industry to help railway people and their families facing distress or hardship, so please help us tonight.

In addition, you could become an RBF representative, a volunteer, a fundraiser or a friend.

And why not encourage your colleagues to raise money through one–off or regular donations, through payroll giving or by remembering the RBF in a will? There’s lots more information about the RBF’s work on its website below, or you can give us a ring on 01270 251316.

Let’s look after our own - support the RBF.

Website: http://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk

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Rail Images, Supporter

 
Website: http://www.railimages.co.uk/

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