Unipart Rail's Doncaster Expansion Plans
02 April 2007 10:22
Unipart Rail, the UK's leading railway supply chain management and logistics company, continues to expand its operations at the Doncaster site.
Unipart Rail (formerly Railpart) is based in Hexthorpe and has been a major employer in Doncaster for many years. In 2005, the company opened a new facility repairing bogies (the wheels and frames for trains and carriages) and at the time employed 26 people. Now, with the facility's reputation firmly established as one of the UK's highest quality overhaul centre, the operations are set to expand, providing further opportunities in Doncaster.
The facility currently employs 30 people - from planning through to semi-skilled and skilled engineers - and overhauls around 260 bogies a year.
With the latest plans, the workforce will grow to around 50 people in 2007, providing further jobs in skilled and semi-skilled engineering roles - experience which is very much part of Doncaster's heritage and future success. The facility will overhaul around 500 bogies per year - an almost 100% increase on current levels.
Recognition of Excellence
Unipart Rail Doncaster is the first bogie facility in the UK to gain the Railway Safety and Standards Board's RISAS certification as a supplier for bogie overhaul.
The facility has achieved the certification as a result of developing high-quality processes for the overhaul of bogies, as well as first-class customer service. Following the audit, the lead assessor praised Unipart Rail Doncaster for their enthusiasm and commitment to the approval scheme.
The Unipart Rail Bogie overhaul facility has provided bogies for a number of train operators including Northern, First ScotRail, Chiltern, Angel Trains, GNER and First Great Western.
New Contracts
Unipart Rail has been awarded a contract by Northern to overhaul 112 Class 156 DMU bogies between 2006 and 2008. To date, eight bogies have been successfully completed and returned for fitment to the Northern Fleet.
Northern Rail's engineering director, Ruud Haket said, "We are delighted that contract terms have now been finalised. I believe Unipart Rail are the best-placed company to deliver Northern's material requirements for our large and increasing fleet. This contract is considered unique and will ensure an excellent relationship continues to thrive as a genuine partnership that embraces and compliments the two businesses. I look forward to this approach continuing into the future."
John Clayton, Unipart Rail's managing director said, "The expansion of the bogie facility shows that a skilled and experienced workforce, together with the application of the tools and techniques used throughout Unipart, is making a difference in UK manufacturing. We are pleased with the progress we have made so far and are looking forward to continuing our development in South Yorkshire with the support of our staff and Yorkshire Forward."
For more information on this company:
Unipart Rail - Infrastructure, Traction and Rolling Stock Materials Supply, Service and Repair
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