David Brown moves into gear in China
A HUDDERSFIELD-based company which provides gearing equipment for the defence, mining and power industries has made its move into the Chinese wind energy and high-speed rail market.
David Brown Gear Systems has produced it 400th gearbox in a joint new venture with Changzhou Railcar Propulsion R&D Center (CPC), an established manufacturer of rail propulsion systems and complete wind turbines.
Following a strategic review of its business in China in 2009, David Brown identified these two emerging markets that have experienced massive growth and tie in with the company’s strategic targets in the renewables sector.
The venture was set up at the end of last year and production started in January.
David Brown committed to an initial investment of £18m in 2010 for the first phase of developing a dedicated manufacturing facility for the new company, Jiangsu Shinri David Brown Gear Systems, and could already complete major orders from existing facilities.
Two hundred and fifty gearboxes have been delivered for the Saudi Metro programme, production has started on gearboxes for the Beijing Daxing project, and prototypes for 250kph vehicles are currently being tested.
Another important milestone on David Brown’s journey towards global technology leadership will be reached later this year when testing work begins on new transmissions for 380kph high-speed rail applications.
The 400th gearbox that was completed yesterday will form the heart of one of the trains on the latest extension to Beijing’s ambitious underground network, as part of the Government’s plan to improve public transportation and reduce pollution.
Mark Hollingworth, general manager David Brown China, said: “David Brown is about comprehensive expertise and profound yet transferable knowledge. We strive to be experts on the technologies of tomorrow – be it in transport, energy or industry.
“The massive pace of the Chinese rail and wind energy markets allows us to accelerate our learning and position ourselves as leaders in our field, ready for the roll-out of sustainable technologies around the globe.”
