Charting our Journey with Hitachi Rail

As a leading UK sheet metal fabrication company, we have been applying our expertise in the supply of powder coated fabricated metal products and fabrications to Hitachi Rail since 2016.

The Customer

Hitachi Rail is a global, integrated railway provider that designs, manufactures, and maintains trains, signalling systems, and digital solutions for passenger and freight rail. Operating in 38 countries, with 11 manufacturing sites, it is a major player in sustainable mobility and offers turnkey solutions for high-speed, metro, and tram networks – worldwide.

Hydram’s initial step into rail

Following Hitachi Rail’s successful contract win to deliver the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) project it began looking to strengthen its supply chain and in particular its North East connection to companies operating in close proximity to its manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

It was at this point Hydram, already established as a subcontract fabricator that could deliver quality at scale, decided to diversify into production for rail and we were selected to supply more than 1,500 components and assemblies to Hitachi Rail.

The majority of components we supplied for the IEP project were for the carriage interiors. This included hand poles, painted interior panels and various bracketry and exterior under-floor assemblies.

Maintaining quality at the heart of manufacture

For us, quality has and always will be a core competence. It drives forward our capabilities and  ensures customer trust, long-term growth and a strong market edge.

Identifying our niche ability to serve the rail industry with quality, repeatable and high-volume components, delivered on time, we looked to quantify our capabilities with official accreditation. Which now includes, but isn’t limited to:  ISO 9001:2015, ISO 3834-2:2005 – which defines comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials for products used with in the transport sector. And in addition, we hold the top level of certification for welding of railway vehicles and components, BS EN 15085-2.

Ongoing partnership

We’re continuing our strong partnership with Hitachi Rail by providing metalwork components for exterior bodywork, interior trim panelling as well as tubular steel fabrications for hand poles and luggage racks.

We’re also able to manufacture a variety of metal cabinets and metal enclosures, from heavy-duty railway trackside signalling equipment location cases, to panels and brackets.

Find out more about Hydram’s collaboration with Hitachi Rail and how the partnership has supported business growth, whilst developing new talent through a successful apprentice scheme.

If you have a project to discuss or would like to explore our capabilities get in touch with our team.