Wabtec parent on track with UK acquisition

US-based Wabtec Corporation, has bought Brush Traction, which has bases in Loughborough, England and Kilmarnock in Scotland, for around 31m dollars.

Brush Traction overhauls and maintains a number of locomotives, including those used in Eurotunnel and high-speed UK service, for leasing companies and transit authorities.

The company also provides traction motors, electrical control systems, wheelsets and other locomotive components.

“This acquisition strengthens our position as a leading aftermarket service provider in the UK,” said Albert J Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive.

“With its focus on the locomotive aftermarket, Brush Traction is a strategic complement to our Wabtec Rail unit in Doncaster, which offers mainly transit car refurbishment.

“The company has expertise in high-speed rail, strong engineering capabilities, a highly-skilled workforce and a long-standing reputation for quality.”

Brush Traction at Loughborough will be known as Brush Traction – part of the Wabtec Rail Group, with the Brush Barclay Kilmarnock Works becoming Wabtec Rail Scotland.

Wabtec employs around 700 staff at its Doncaster base, and has an annual turnover of around £68m. The Doncaster operation was bought by Wabtec in 1998 and has recorded substantial growth in recent years.