Another milestone for Alstom Ubunye
NIGEL - The Alstom Ubunye Rail manufacturing facility, one of Alstom’s joint-ventures in South Africa, has produced 150 bogies for the Gibela Project (PRASA trains) since the commencement of the components contract.
According to Kobie Hyman from Umbono Communications the 100th locally manufactured Bogie was completed on November 17 and the factory achieved a further milestone of completing more than 1000 Looming sets for the PRASA Trains.
“A bogie is a crucial component at the heart of train dynamics, ensuring safe and cost-effective operations, as well as comfortable travelling conditions. The first EUF (End Under Frame) was produced in September 2018 and the first 100% ‘Made in South Africa’ Bogie was delivered to Gibela in February last year,” Hyman said.
The Alstom Ubunye looming (cable harness) workshop completed 1000 Looming sets on December 9.
Alstom Ubunye chief executive officer (CEO) Xavier Boisgontier added by saying: “The enthusiasm of our teams and eagerness to learn especially during the introduction of new technology, advanced equipment, new processes, new products and international Alstom practices, is remarkable. We are very proud to contribute to a legacy project for South Africa through the training of young people and to be a part of the industrialisation process of the rail industry.”
Based in Vorsterskroon, Nigel the 80,000m² manufacturing facility has 565 employees, with an average age of 35 of which 25% are women. More than 50% of the employees are local labourers. Boisgontier said that Alstom Ubunye is benefiting from a unique and massive Transfer of Technology program to be in position to supply components to Gibela. Significant investment has been made in plant refurbishment and upgrades to bring it to international standards and more than 120 operators have been trained on and offshore.
The plant was officially inaugurated by the Premier of Gauteng Mr David Makhura on October 17.
In Full Nominal Mode Alstom Ubunye will deliver 62 bogies, 62 end-under frames, 20 traction cases and 10 Static Inverters per month. It is also manufacturing looming, cubicles and PACIS (Passenger Public Address, Closed Circuit Television and Information Systems),
“Through the modernisation of Alstom Ubunye, Alstom is proud to have established an African rail company with local partners, creating a stronger industrial and commercial base with the purpose to offer a complete transport portfolio to address Southern Africa’s railway transport needs,” Hyman concluded.
