¼ MILLION AND STILL COUNTING!
REHAU planned a celebration lunch with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty in London to mark the installation of the 250,000th REHAU GRP live rail insulator in the UK.
Key representatives from all three companies marked the ongoing success of a product which not only gave REHAU its first entry into the UK third rail sector back in 2001 but has provided the platform for it to establish itself as a leading, mainstream supplier.
REHAU now supplies a whole range of polymer products alongside the insulator such as split-duct cabling, protective boarding for high-risk conductor rails, hose and handrails. And, it recently ranked 7th in Unipart’s monthly rail industry top 100 supplier performance table - real evidence of how it has been able to match its technical innovation with a complete customer service package.
The live rail insulator was already in Europe for European rail tracks, but not in the UK. Developing knowledge from REHAU’s German division it made the transition into the UK in 2001, when REHAU turned to what was then cutting edge Rapid Prototyping technology to produce a modified version which could operate on UK rails.
After a trial in Brighton with Railtrack, the product was endorsed by them and the rail maintenance companies and the first 1000 units were delivered in 2001 for installation at specific locations across the south.
The key benefits of the rail insulator come from REHAU’s hugely advanced polymer expertise and its ability to transfer technology not only from country to country but also across its automotive, building solutions and industrial divisions.
The company looked at the traditional porcelain version which had been in use for more than 100 years and realised that it could produce a lightweight, impact resistant and more cost-effective GRP version. This had the benefits that it is light and easy to handle so made installation and transportation quicker and easier. The GRP is also a safe, inert material impervious to water and all chemicals routinely used on the track so it is durable and long lasting.
REHAU brought a fresh perspective to the insulator and was able to develop an advanced contemporary solution to a traditional problem, providing a solution for low maintenance railway. This approach has been extended to its polymer split cable ducting which can be fitted without the need to disconnect and reconnect the cable and easy to use polymer conductor rail shrouds and portable safety covers.
The company will be exhibiting many of these products on its stand at Infrarail in March 08 and demonstrating exciting innovations in civil engineering and renewable energy.
These include storm water management systems and rainwater recovery systems for trackside and stations, long life pvc drainage pipe for railway and tunnel construction and ground air heat exchangers to increase the use of renewable energy in stations.
REHAU will also be inviting visitors to challenge it to design and develop something new if it doesn’t already have a solution available. Its success in delivering the GRP insulator from concept to reality shows its capacity and expertise and its ability to understand and respond to customers.
Key representatives from all three companies marked the ongoing success of a product which not only gave REHAU its first entry into the UK third rail sector back in 2001 but has provided the platform for it to establish itself as a leading, mainstream supplier.
REHAU now supplies a whole range of polymer products alongside the insulator such as split-duct cabling, protective boarding for high-risk conductor rails, hose and handrails. And, it recently ranked 7th in Unipart’s monthly rail industry top 100 supplier performance table - real evidence of how it has been able to match its technical innovation with a complete customer service package.
The live rail insulator was already in Europe for European rail tracks, but not in the UK. Developing knowledge from REHAU’s German division it made the transition into the UK in 2001, when REHAU turned to what was then cutting edge Rapid Prototyping technology to produce a modified version which could operate on UK rails.
After a trial in Brighton with Railtrack, the product was endorsed by them and the rail maintenance companies and the first 1000 units were delivered in 2001 for installation at specific locations across the south.
The key benefits of the rail insulator come from REHAU’s hugely advanced polymer expertise and its ability to transfer technology not only from country to country but also across its automotive, building solutions and industrial divisions.
The company looked at the traditional porcelain version which had been in use for more than 100 years and realised that it could produce a lightweight, impact resistant and more cost-effective GRP version. This had the benefits that it is light and easy to handle so made installation and transportation quicker and easier. The GRP is also a safe, inert material impervious to water and all chemicals routinely used on the track so it is durable and long lasting.
REHAU brought a fresh perspective to the insulator and was able to develop an advanced contemporary solution to a traditional problem, providing a solution for low maintenance railway. This approach has been extended to its polymer split cable ducting which can be fitted without the need to disconnect and reconnect the cable and easy to use polymer conductor rail shrouds and portable safety covers.
The company will be exhibiting many of these products on its stand at Infrarail in March 08 and demonstrating exciting innovations in civil engineering and renewable energy.
These include storm water management systems and rainwater recovery systems for trackside and stations, long life pvc drainage pipe for railway and tunnel construction and ground air heat exchangers to increase the use of renewable energy in stations.
REHAU will also be inviting visitors to challenge it to design and develop something new if it doesn’t already have a solution available. Its success in delivering the GRP insulator from concept to reality shows its capacity and expertise and its ability to understand and respond to customers.
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© REHAU Ltd. All Rights reserved. 2008
© REHAU Ltd. All Rights reserved. 2008