Search for a partner for the industrial plant at Biel
successfully finalized: Alstom takes over the leadership

With the foundation of the joint venture scheduled
for mid-year SBB Cargo finalizes its search for a partner
and the bidding process for the industrial plant at Biel. The new
company will be active in two business areas. It provides
revisions and repairs for shunting locos and service vehicles.
The largest customer in this field remain the SBB. The new
company will also continue the maintenance of tank wagons for the
private owners of freight wagons and will also tender its
services to other railway companies and third parties. ALSTOM
Schienenfahrzeuge AG holds 51 % of the shares of the partner
company and holds the majority in the Board of Directors. Both
parties have agreed to observe secrecy over the purchase
price. Workplaces EnsuredThe new company takes over all employees active at the point
of the foundation time in the mentioned fields in the industrial
works in Biel. For these, an overall labour union contract will
be concluded equivalent to the one with SBB Cargo. Growth Prospects

Representatives of both companies are glad about the
successful finalisation of the negotiations. "We have achieved
the targets for Biel in their full scope," Daniel Nordmann
chairman of the Board of Directors of SBB Cargo
comments the results. We ensure workplaces at the location at
Biel, ensure services that are very important for SBB and provide
growth prospects for the works which may play an important role
in the context of a company operating on a Europe-wide or
world-wide level." Jacques Jamart, Manager of the area Vehicle
Maintenance by Alstom in Europe, adds: "With the industrial works
at Biel, we extend our network of maintenance workplaces in
Europe. Thus, we may offer a comprehensive service to the private
and state operators near the transit axes.

 Press Inquiries: ALSTOM (Switzerland) LtdSimone RamserDirector Communications and SpokespersonTel.:+41 (0)56 205 96 00Fax:+41 (0)56 205 52 31simone.ramser@power.alstom.com Press Office SBBTel.:+41 (0)51 220 41 11press@sbb.ch

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