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Widely acclaimed by rail systemoperators andmanufacturers for its power protection,
transmission and conversion solutions, Mersen successfully leveraged its Power
Transfer for Rail Vehicles (PTRV) business towin newmarkets in 2014.
François Gréa
,
Vice President, PTRV,
tells us why.
How isMersen’s approach
to the rail market different?
We are THE specialist in electrical solutions for rail
systems. Inaddition toour third-rail shoes that can collect
current in any configuration, we also offer solutions to
protect the power supply lines with fuse boxes, as well
as remote disconnect switches and earth return current
units.
Is this what attracts your customers?
Yes. That and our global market coverage, which enables
us to serve customers in some one hundred countries
with the same superior expertise and responsiveness.
Both manufacturers and transit operators trust us to
guarantee quality, service continuity and safety for their
systems.
How can you guarantee the same fast
response everywhere?
All of the products are engineered in France then
transferred to local teams for sourcing and assembly. Our
Design Authority team follows one of the world’s most
demanding standards, the IRIS* certification plan, which
allows us to apply the same discipline to every project.
Whichmarkets were themost active in 2014?
We’re continuing to make gains in China, in the new
subway systems, where we are still the market leader,
andontheCRCCRH380trains.AlsoinAsia,wedeepened
our positions with Japanese manufacturers Toshiba,
Kawasaki and J-Trec for projects in Tokyo, Singapore and
Bangkok. As well, we’re starting to win contracts in the
MiddleEastwhere thereareserious infrastructureneeds,
for example inDubai, Saudi Arabia andQatar.
In Europe and America, light rail is on a roll...
That’s right, we’re working with Alstom on the
development of a new solution for the Citadis Spirit light
rail vehicle. In Europe, which remains our biggest market,
tramways are highly popular for their ability to enhance
the interoperability of a city’s transit systems.
Around the world in a train
* International Railway Industry Standard
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A comprehensive
offering of
electrical solutions
Project design
engineering
centralized
in France
A robust network
guaranteeing
sourcing,
assembly
and quality
management
around theworld
Positions
strengthened
in Japan, China
and theMiddle
East in2014
INTERVIEW
Highlights
PTRV workshop team