Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF has hailed a successful first supplier day as it seeks to establish a local supply chain.
With the help of the Welsh government, the event was held at Celtic Manor, Newport – near to the Celtic Business Park where CAF is building its train manufacturing plant – on January 30.
More than 200 companies registered an interest in attending the event with 82 invited to hear CAF’s current and future plans.
CAF detailed recently obtained contracts, goals for the future and the expectations and opportunities for the local supply chain, including ongoing tendering opportunities such as the Wales and Borders and South Wales Metro.
Welsh and UK suppliers were then invited to one-two-one meetings with CAF’s procurement team, covering the new factory and various maintenance activities in Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Like this story? Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on rail industry news
Of the 82 businesses in attendance, 13 companies were interested in ‘pitching’ to the new-build and after-sales markets making a total of almost 100 meetings taking place during the day.
CAF’s UK and Ireland business development director Richard Garner said: “The success of this event underlines CAF’s commitment to establish a locally based supply chain to support its activities not just for the new factory but also in the important after-sales market.
“Many of the suppliers had exciting leading-edge technology to offer and CAF looks forward to working with these providers of innovative products on future projects throughout the UK.
“CAF truly believes that if it is successful then its suppliers will also reap the rewards to themselves and also the wider local economy.”
Read more: First look at CAF’s new rolling stock factory in Wales
