RIA brings suppliers together for HS2 Rolling Stock Procurement Event
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has brought nearly 70 suppliers together to pitch for
contracts with the five Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for HS2’s Rolling Stock.
The ‘Meet the Bidder’ event, held at Doncaster’s National College for High Speed Rail
(NCHSR), gave the suppliers the chance to meet representatives of the OEMs who have been
shortlisted for the HS2 contract. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be published in April 2018.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) said: “It is fantastic
for the Railway Industry Association to be assisting the rail supply chain by organising this
event today, in partnership with industry organisations Rail Forum East Midlands and Rail
Alliance.
“HS2 is a transformational project, that will improve connectivity and boost productivity, and
investment across the country by bringing our key economic centres even closer together.
HS2 will also boost employment, particularly in the STEM professions, helping to close the
engineering skills gap facing the UK.
“Today, we have seen the enthusiasm from across the rail supply industry for this project –
and for the potential it brings for innovation and new ways of thinking. We hope that this
event has led to dynamic conversations that will help progress the delivery of this £2.75 billion
contract.”
Note to Editors
- About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the trade association for UK-based
suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has more than 200 companies in
membership, in a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double
over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active
across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and
including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to
promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around
the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.
www.riagb.org.uk