Engineering investment keeps rail maintenance specialist CWE on track
FIRM EXPANDS WITH NEW HYDRAULIC BUFFER CELL
RAIL industry maintenance specialist CWE Ltd has expanded its engineering capabilities with a major investment. The northern Lincolnshire firm has added a new hydraulic buffer cell to its operations, in doing so, creating one of the most efficient end-to-end rolling stock refurbishment services in the country.
The Crowle-based company will be able to deal with both hydraulic and mechanical buffers, with the investment part of an overall growth strategy as it works with leading organisations including VTG, Transport for London and Network Rail.
Nick Andrew, managing director, said: “CWE already has considerable expertise in the maintenance, refurbishment and replacement of vital components for the rail sector, so the investment in this new buffer cell will build on our existing capabilities and state-of-the-art technologies to provide our customers with a best-in-class service.
“This has also given us the opportunity to return to the technical specification and custom-design a cell from scratch, and create a planned layout and efficient overhaul facility.”
CWE also offers a buffer service exchange option for customers, which is designed to respond to urgent needs and keep downtime to a minimum.
Mr Andrew, who was appointed in March having joined as operations director in 2019, said: “We understand that, for our customers, keeping the fleet operational is of the utmost importance.
“We also know that the failure to properly implement buffer maintenance schedules is an industry-wide issue, and can lead to unnecessary downtime.
“Our new buffer cell means that our customers will benefit from faster, leaner and more efficient processes that both meet stringent quality and safety standards and keep their rolling stock on the tracks.”
Specialising in machining and fabrication, CWE provides complete lifecycle management of rolling stock from technical design and reverse engineering of key parts including buffers, bogies and couplers, through to non-destructive testing and obsolescence management.
Launched in 1966 as Crowle Wharf Engineers, with power and steel other key industries served, it employs 44 people across both Crowle and a specialist coupler site at Worksop.