Alstom has expanded its manufacturing capabilities in South Africa through the acquisition of assets for the manufacturing of car body shells from TMH Africa. Alstom sourced car body shells for its electric TRAXX locomotive project with Transnet before the company filed for business rescue.

Through this acquisition, Alstom has welcomed all 105 employees and retained the expertise in the country. The local manufacturing of car body shells represents a key milestone as Alstom grows its portfolio of products and expands its geographic footprint in Southern Africa.

“We are pleased to diversify our manufacturing capability and continue to offer great value to our customers. Retaining the skills and knowledge to produce locomotive car body shells locally, is in line with our long-term growth strategy to introduce much needed state-of-the-art freight solutions to the rest of the Southern Africa market. Alstom has more than 150 years’ experience in locomotive design and manufacturing. Our locomotive portfolio is the broadest in the industry and covers most electric and hybrid markets worldwide,” said Bernard Peille, Managing Director of Alstom Southern Africa.

In South Africa, Alstom is part of the Gibela consortium comprising Ubumbano Rail and New Africa Rail. Under a contract signed in 2013, the consortium will deliver Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) 600 modern commuter passenger trains over the next 10 years. Gibela’s factory occupies a site covering more than 78 hectares at Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

Alstom has a long-term commitment towards Southern Africa, and it goes beyond the manufacturing of railway components or trains. It also includes job creation, skills development, enterprise development and socio-economic development. Alstom is the majority shareholder of four major joint ventures in South Africa: Alstom Ubunye, Gibela Rail, Bombela Maintenance and Alstom BTSA.