The Global Centre of Rail Excellence and Frauscher Sensor Technology have agreed on a major new innovation partnership.
Both companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on projects at the GCRE facility currently being developed in South Wales.
Frauscher, a European technology company with origins in Austria, offers customised solutions and services for international railway markets and is a world leader in innovative axle counters and wheel sensors.
In doing so, Frauscher strives to provide the best possible support to system integrators and railway operators throughout the life cycle of their products and beyond, giving them access to the information they need. With a worldwide network of locations and partners, Frauscher guarantees a strong supply chain and optimum customer support around the globe.
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence will be a site for world class rail research, testing and showcasing of rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting-edge new technologies.
Frauscher will use the 700-hectare GCRE site as a testing and validation centre for the sector-leading solutions and innovations it develops for European and international markets.
Managing Director of Frauscher UK Melanie Gangl signed the memorandum of understanding during a recent visit to the GCRE site.
Signing the partnership, Director of Strategy and Skills at GCRE Limited, Rob Forde said:
“Frauscher have developed a global reputation in rail and technology development for the ground-breaking quality of their innovations and customer solutions and so it’s fantastic to agree this partnership with the Global Centre of Rail Excellence.
“GCRE will provide the rail industry with world class infrastructure for research, testing and certification and will offer a great foundation to work with Frauscher as they develop new products and services for European and international markets.
“This agreement helps to demonstrate once again the significant commercial demand that exists for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence and the range of services we will provide on-site. GCRE will become Europe’s premier site for rail innovation and we can see from the high-quality companies developing partnerships with us the strong business proposition GCRE has.
“Fraucher Sensor Technology is known throughout the industry for their pioneering spirit, their passion for technological innovation and for their exceptional ideas. All of our team at GCRE are incredibly excited about working with Frauscher and to playing our part in pushing the boundaries in technology innovation.”
Managing Director of Frauscher UK Melanie Gangl said:
“Being a part of this esteemed hub for rail innovation fills me with immense enthusiasm, as it offers us the perfect platform to steer the course of fresh developments and ground-breaking innovations in the realm of railway technology.
“The future holds great promise and I’m excited to embark on a collaborative journey with Frauscher and GCRE to make this vision a reality.”
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Notes to Editors:
Photo: Director of Strategy and Skills at GCRE Limited, Rob Forde, and Managing Director of Frauscher UK, Melanie Gangl, signing the MoU on a recent visit to GCRE.
GCRE was established in 2021 with an initial commitment of £50 million from the Welsh Government. The UK Government is supporting the project with funding for research and development along with capital funding of £20 million.
GCRE is currently involved in a major public procurement to attract private funding for the project.
Spanning the former Nant Helen opencast site and Onllwyn Washery in South Wales, GCRE will be the UK’s first net zero railway.
Media enquiries
Please contact Andrew Johnson on 07949 449727 or email Andrew.johnson@gcre.wales
