Alstom celebrates innovation prize at 2011 Light Rail Awards

One of the Midlands largest employers has been recognised at the 2011 Light Rail Awards, held in London last week (5th October).

Alstoms fast automated track laying technology, Appitrack, was chosen as the Innovation of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony.

Organised by Tramways and Urban Transit magazine, the awards welcomed operators and suppliers from across the UK and around the world, with Transport Minister Norman Baker as keynote speaker.

A global leader in rail transport, power generation and power transmission, Alstom UK has long been established in the Midlands and today employs more than 5,000 people in the region. Alstom Transport employs 2,000 people in the UK, with its headquarters located in Rugby.

The manufacturing company scooped the Innovation award for the benefits provided by Appitrack - a fast, automated method of laying tram and metro tracks that tackles infrastructure construction costs as well as disruption to local residents and businesses. The system allows a shorter track-laying time, with the ability to lay up to 200 metres of track per day compared with just 50-60 metres using conventional methods.

Alstom is a member of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium, preferred bidder to provide the Nottingham tram extension project (NET2) scheduled for opening in 2014. As well as providing new Citadis trams and maintenance of these and the existing trams, Alstom is to supply the track, power supply and signalling for the two new lines, using Appitrack technology for up to 60% of the new track installation.

Terence Watson, Managing Director of Alstom Transport UK and Ireland, said: This is a great accolade for Alstoms technology which has already proven itself in several cities in quick succession. I would like to congratulate all our employees involved in this achievement. We look forward to bringing the benefits of Appitrack to Nottingham.

ENDS

 
For further information please contact: 

Helen Connolly
Telephone: 01788 545602
helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com 
 

Rachel Worthing, Golley Slater PR  
Telephone: 0121 384 9706      
rworthing@golleyslater.co.uk     

Notes to Editors:  

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 96,500 people in more than 70 countries, and had sales of over 23 billion in 2009/10.

Alstom is a substantial employer across the Midlands, with approximately 5000 of its 6500 UK employees working out of Midlands-based locations, including Stafford, Rugby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Derby, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

About Alstom Transport
A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport is the only manufacturer in the world to offer a complete range of high performance products, including rolling stock, infrastructures, information systems, services and turnkey solutions. Mindful of operators increasingly stringent profitability objectives and their growing need for sustainable mobility solutions, Alstom offers its customers eco-friendly and economical products and services. In 2010-2011, Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.6 billion. The Group is present in over 60 countries and employs some 25,500 people.