In a major development for the UK rail supply chain, William Cook Rail Ltd has announced the acquisition of Crowle Wharf Engineers Ltd (CWE).
Based in Leeds, William Cook Rail, is an international market leader in the design, manufacture and overhaul of railway couplers, bogies and associated components. The company is part of the William Cook group which has annual sales of £90 million, and 560 employees across five UK sites.
CWE, based in Lincolnshire, is a UK market leader in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of railway couplers, bogies, buffers and freight wagons. CWE has annual sales of £5 million, and 50 employees across three UK sites.
The combined business will underpin critical skills, capabilities, and capacity at an uncertain time for the UK rail supply chain. Rolling stock builders and operators will benefit from an enhanced end-to-end design, manufacture, maintenance, repair and overhaul service.
Between them, William Cook Rail and CWE already serve almost all major European rolling stock builders and operators. Both companies hold comprehensive rail industry accreditations including RISAS, RISQS and EN15085. William Cook Rail is also certified to the world-leading International Rail Industry Standard (IRIS).
BTG Advisory assisted former owners Foresight Group in the successful sale of CWE.
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