SNCF is to acquire a 50% share of the capital of the Dutch company Europool. Europool is the parent company of the Dutch company Eurailscout, which specialises in the inspection of rail infrastructure using specialist measurement trains, generating annual revenue of €17m (£13.7m).
The remaining half of Europool remains the property of Strukton Rail. SNCF is taking over the 50% share currently held by the German company GSG Knape.
“The cooperation between SNCF and Strukton will provide a quantum step ahead, to further develop and operate measurement trains and data management technologies,” said Strukton Rail CEO Aike Schoots. “This enables us to improve the quality, safety, cost effectiveness and transparency of the railway network. Which at the end will please train passengers and freight operators.”
Pierre Izard, CEO of SNCF Infrastructure, said: “Using the synergies between our own skills which enabled us to design the Iris 320 inspection train that measures the geometry of high speed lines at 320km/h, and those of Eurailscout which are also founded on innovation and efficiency at the service of rail infrastructure maintenance, we will be able to develop state-of-the-art solutions to assist infrastructure managers and European rail network maintainers.”
The partnership developed with Strukton Rail is for the inspection of the traditional network, not including high speed lines.
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