EXCLUSIVE: Porterbrook: “We need to get the delivery better”

Rolling stock leasing companies need to take more responsibility when it comes to their assets and focus on what they can provide to passengers.

That’s the verdict of Porterbrook Chief Executive Mary Grant, talking exclusively to RAIL at Rail Live on June 20.

She was speaking a week after the company’s first-ever supplier conference, held at Derby County FC’s Pride Park stadium on June 13, and attended by more than 200 people from across the industry.

Grant said the rolling stock company “must work harder far earlier in the procurement process” and that there is “a need to look at what is best for a franchise”.

She acknowledged that innovation such as the company’s Class 769 Flex product was a reaction to the market, and that Porterbrook is actively investigating other alternative fuel sources.

She said: “Collectively, we and the supply chain need to get the delivery better,” adding that service provision should be about what is best for passengers.

A week earlier, speaking at Porterbrook’s conference, Grant said: “We want to be the UK market-leading provider of rail leasing and asset management support. To do this we need to form close partnerships with our suppliers.

“Ultimately what we have to provide is a quality-driven service to our TOC customers, always keeping in mind the needs and aspirations of their passengers. But we cannot do this alone - we need the help of our supply chain.”

The company is spending almost £130 million in the rolling stock after-market this year, and has contracts in place with more than 100 UK-based suppliers.

Also speaking at the conference, Head of Procurement Anvesh Prasad said: “Collaboration is key to the future of our business. We want to engage early with suppliers, explore their innovations, and build deep and long-term partnerships.”