Bouygues Group subsidiary Colas Rail has announced it has acquired Cardiff-based engineering firm Pullman Rail.
Pullman Rail specialises in the overhaul of passenger and freight trains, components and rolling stock.
Colas said the ‘business itself will be managed as a stand-alone company and continue to trade as Pullman Rail’.
Charles-Albert Giral, CEO of Colas Rail, said:
“I am delighted to announce that we have acquired Pullman Rail Ltd, the Cardiff based engineering business which is at the forefront of rail vehicle maintenance in the UK.
“Pullman Rail enjoys a long-standing reputation for the quality of its engineering, its timely delivery and competitive prices. The company is a key employer in South Wales with a national reach.
“This acquisition significantly advances our current capability to maintain our growing rail fleet. In addition, it enables us to further expand into the rail vehicle maintenance market for train owners and train operators.
“Pullman Rail’s Canton depot, located close to Cardiff Central station is a prime asset serving the entire UK rail network. It augments our existing infrastructure providing another key operational hub to develop our already significant presence in Wales.
“We plan to further grow the Pullman Rail business, building on the many well-established customer relationships as well as developing new ones.”
The French, Germans and Dutch obviously plan to carve up the UK rail industry between them, by either applying to operate franchises or – as in this instance – by acquiring small/medium size UK businesses. British-owned rail industry companies, on the other hand, have always found the European door firmly closed, as the state-owned monopolies usually award any contracts to their own domestic companies.