Bombardier And Skoda Agree on Extensive Co-Operation in
Rail Vehicle Production for Eastern Europe
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--JANUARY 15, 2003 - 11:36 EST
Bombardier Transportation and the new owner of
Skoda Holding, Appian Group, today agreed on extensive
co-operation in the field of rail vehicle manufacture for Eastern
Europe. Bombardier Transportation's co-operation partner is the
Czech-based subsidiary of Skoda Holding, Skoda Dopravni Technika
(SDT), one of the largest rolling stock producers in Eastern
Europe.
In view of upcoming tenders in the Czech Republic, Russia and
Slovakia, the first co-operation project will be about an
electric high-speed locomotive developed by Bombardier
Transportation. The new triple-system locomotive, which will be
manufactured at SDT under license from Bombardier Transportation,
is intended for operation in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and
other Eastern European countries. Under the agreement, Bombardier
will supply the propulsion and control equipment, while SDT will
be responsible for project management, technical preparation of
the manufacturing process, production, and trial operation under
supervision by Bombardier experts. Another venture under
consideration is the joint modernization of electric and
diesel-electric locomotives in Russia, the Czech Republic, and
Slovakia. Furthermore, it is being considered to involve Skoda as
a producer of systems and components for Bombardier
Transportation.
Wolfgang Tolsner, President, Locomotives & Freight, Bombardier
Transportation, says "This agreement will give Skoda Dopravni
Technika access to Bombardier's cutting-edge know-how, ensuring
that Czech rail operators have a competent rolling stock producer
they can continue to rely on in the future. The agreement also
provides Bombardier Transportation with another important access
to the very promising markets in Eastern Europe and enables
Bombardier to broaden its presence in this region."
Martin Roman, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Skoda
Holding, adds, "Bombardier Transportation is the ideal partner
for us in the field of rolling stock. The company has all the
know-how we need to turn out successful projects. We are
confident that, together with Bombardier Transportation, we can
be successful on other markets, too. Co-operation with an
internationally powerful partner on the demanding development of
the new locomotive and other projects is the ideal solution for
us as we seek to progress and become more competitive in the
railway industry."
Skoda Dopravni Technika is the largest Czech rail vehicle
producer and one of the largest manufacturers of rolling stock in
Central Europe. At its Pilsen plant about 700 employees build
electric locomotives, low-floor trams, metro trains, and electric
multiple units.
Skoda Holding currently comprises 18 subsidiaries. It employs
6,500 people and includes business areas such as metallurgy and
forging (e.g. giant crankshafts), equipment for traditional and
nuclear power facilities, petrochemicals, heavy machine tools,
trolley-buses and traction-powered vehicles, sugar refinery
equipment, curing and hydraulic presses, and industrial gears.
The holding's revenues in 2001 came to EUR 460.9 million (CZK
13.8 billion), 63% of which is from exports.
The US-based investment company Appian Group recently acquired
the whole of Skoda Holding. At the end of 2002, Appian Group
reached an agreement with the two previous shareholders on the
buyout of 100% of the shares in the holding; the sale of the
state-held stake has been approved by the Czech government. As
the new owner, Appian Group has already declared that the core
businesses it is keen to develop further under the Skoda brand
are the holding's energy and transport divisions.
Bombardier Transportation is the global leader in the rail
equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its wide range of
products includes passenger rail cars and total transit systems.
It also manufactures locomotives, freight cars, propulsion &
controls and provides rail control solutions.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services
company, is a world leading manufacturer of business jets,
regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized
recreational products. It also provides financial services and
asset management in business areas aligned with its core
expertise. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, the Corporation has
a workforce of some 80,000 people in 24 countries throughout the
Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its revenues for the fiscal
year ended Jan. 31, 2002 stood at $21.6 billion. Bombardier
trades on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges
(BBD, BOM and BBDd.F). |
