EWS and Thales join forces to create Transeo, a new force in the provision of IS services to the rail sector
Specialised management information systems and service solutions for the International transport sector are set to grow, as the result of a significant increase in the International movement of goods and the number of people travelling across European railway networks. This is being driven by the improved reliability of rail services, growth in global trade and a new era of European interoperability.
This projection comes from Transeo, a new, unique alliance, launched today to deliver innovative information, consultancy and technology services and solutions to the UK and International transport sectors. This growth will be supported by the Transeo’ portfolio of management systems and service solutions to ensure greater efficiency and competitiveness.
Transeo’s formation and drive for growth follows detailed research to ensure products and services match the requirements of prospective UK and International customers, including passenger and freight rail operators, infrastructure providers, and companies involved in transportation and logistics. The move also follows industry demand for sustainable business support services that are service-led, add value and at the same time enhance the existing services of our clients.
The creation of Transeo, brings together two of the leading International technology and transport companies. EWS and Thales are forming the strongest alliance ever seen in the International transport sector.
EWS Group, the leading UK and International rail freight and rail services company, provides well-proven software solutions, and strong rail industry knowledge and consultancy. Thales, the international technology company that is global leader in the provision of Mission Critical systems, and in Ground Transportation systems and solutions, is providing the mission critical systems integration and services capability and international presence.
Providing 24-hour, 7-day a week, mission critical services, Thales and EWS, under the Transeo alliance, are focused on customer service and flexibility through innovation and efficiency, including the development of shared services between non-competing organisations. This brings a level of efficiency and support never seen before in the transportation sector.
The extensive Transeo support service is already used, every day of the year, by passengers of British franchised train operating companies. Transeo operates the 24-hour National Rail Communications Centre for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), as well as running the National Rail Enquiries Online Journey Planner, www.nationalrail.co.uk where demand approaches 1 million enquiries per day.
In addition, Transeo has developed a European-wide package of IT application and infrastructure support services and, in response to demand from customers such as National Rail Enquiries in Britain and Euro Cargo Rail in France, is already supporting their service needs.
Guy Mason, Executive Director of Transeo and EWS CIO, said: “With Transeo, we feel we can meet the needs of train operating companies, rail infrastructure providers and International transport and distribution companies, responding with tailor-made solutions to suit customer demand in an increasingly competitive market. In this new era of European interoperability and increasing global trade, information systems and service support will be central to the operation of international transport. Transeo can meet this need.”
Fabrice Bourdeix, Vice President Entreprise & Finance activities of the Thales Security Solutions and Services division said: “The systems requirements of the transportation sector are becoming increasingly sophisticated, mission-critical and sector-specific. The need to drive profit in the sector also means that these demands need to be met ever more efficiently and promptly. Transeo’s unique combination of Thales’ extensive transport systems skills and EWS’ transportation industry knowledge equip it to drive service levels up and costs down in a way not previously seen in this industry.”
About EWS EWS is Britain's leading rail freight operators. Since EWS was formed in 1996, it has helped rail freight in Britain grow by 60%.
Other companies owned by EWS Holdings Ltd, the owners of EWS, include EWS International, Euro Cargo Rail (a supplier of rail freight services in France and mainland Europe), Engineering Support Group (a consultancy for rail engineering solutions), Railway Approvals Ltd (a company that enables new locomotives and wagons to be approved for operation on Network Rail's infrastructure), Marcroft Engineering Ltd (an engineering maintenance firm). In addition, Axiom Rail (a supplier of maintenance, refurbishment, leasing solutions and suspension systems), EWS Construction, EWS Energy, EWS Industrial and EWS Network which are trading and brand names.
EWS Holdings and Thales (through its subsidiary Thales Information Systems Ltd) are joint owners of the Transeo brand.
www.ews-railway.co.uk
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 70,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of € 10.3 billion in 2006, with a record order book of over € 20 billion.
The new Security Solutions & Services Division, operational since 5 January 2007, combines the businesses of Thales’ former Security and Services divisions with those of Alcatel-Lucent’s Transport Systems Division and Integration & Services Division. The new division makes Thales a world market leader in transport and security markets. Our security solutions and services activities around the world now generate revenues of about 3.2 billion euros, with a 20,000 employees in 35 countries.
Enterprise Services focus on providing mission-critical services to our customers. With our key offerings, we help them to generate additional business value through mission-critical outsourcing, product and asset lifecycle management (PALM), supply chain management (SCM) and compliance solutions.
http://3s.thalesgroup.com
Press contacts
Transeo - Tel 0870 140 5795
EWS - Graham Meiklejohn, EWS Media and Public Affairs Manager
Tel 07801 905363 - graham.meiklejohn@ews-railway.co.uk
Thales, Services Solutions & Services - Victoire Le Barazer, press officer
Tel +33 1 57 77 91 37 - victoire.lebarazer@thalesgroup.com
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