KM tools win high-profile contract with Hitachi Rail to ready HS trains
BESPOKE machinery manufacturer KM Tools is playing a major part in helping Hitachi Rail get high speed trains ready for the UK’S rail network.
The Cheadle-based company, which is part of the Klarius Group, won a contract to design, manufacture, install and maintain smart jigs at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe production facility.
The recently installed jigs are supporting Hitachi Rail in the fabrication and welding of highspeed trains destined for the UK rail network.
Neil Harrison, sales manager at KM Tools, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this contract from a market-leading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) such as Hitachi Rail.
“Our turnkey engineering service for specialised production machinery proved an ideal fit for this high-profile contract. Experience of working closely with other OEMS in the automotive and rail sectors also ensured we had the right engineering expertise and capacity to support large, modern production lines like Hitachi’s in Newton Aycliffe.”
Hitachi Rail’s advanced facility at Newton Aycliffe is the result of a £110 million investment by the company.
The jigs provided by KM Tools allow the main subassemblies of the trains to be held in position for welding and finishing. Each jig has been manufactured entirely in-house by KM Tools to Hitachi Rail specifications. The company is also providing responsive onsite technical and maintenance support to Hitachi manufacturing teams.
Mark Snowdon, quality engineer at Hitachi Rail, said: “KM Tools has been absolutely fantastic from the beginning. The company has been completely professional all the way through, and its engineering capabilities are second to none.
“We look forward to working with KM Tools again and are already planning future ventures with them.”