The grouping of equipment manufacturers is underpinned by four large families of expertise focused on interior fittings, bogie and coupler components, energy and electronics, customer operating support and services. Each of these activities must meet specific needs for which the professionals have developed customized and optimal responses courtesy of their technical experience and professionalism.

Equipment manufacturers: technical trades and skills

Equipment manufacturing trades englobe the following four fields of activities: interior fittings with their impact on comfort, safety and fluidity of passenger movements, bogie and coupler equipment to provide vehicle steering, braking and running gear, while also channeling energy along the trainset. The energy and electronic sectors guarantee power supply to the different on-board systems as well as safety and traceability diagnostics within the rail transport environment. Lastly, an equally important development is the “services” dimension of these trades in that the conventional package made-up of components and sub-assemblies is now augmented by a range of associated services: logistics-chain management, inventory management, expertise and equipment repair, etc.

Equipment : sometimes-unsuspected innovations

In all fields of in-borne railway equipment, research and development work culminates in novel products that are always more efficient and continuously tailored to the changing needs of passengers and operators.

Interior fittings

In line with their policy of offering a modern and pleasant travel environment to train passengers, trade professionals have introduced or proposed enhancements that are eye-pleasing (interior design, tag-repelling linings), practical (Wifi, bike lockers, wider doors electrically operated to optimize accessibility), and securitized (doors with sensitive-edge seals to guarantee danger-free closing).
Moreover, as environmentally-conscious industries, they contribute towards efforts aimed at reducing the energy consumption of auxiliary equipment (air-conditioning system, etc.).

Energy and electronics

To improve performance and safety, French equipment manufacturers have successfully refined electric and safety-critical components through introduction of very significant innovations in the field of pantographs, batteries, connectors and energy converters.

Bogies and couplers

Sector industries, in a bid to ensure greater transport safety and reduce maintenance costs, are constantly upgrading their braking solutions: eddy-current braking, compact actuators, and oil-free compressors. Where couplers are concerned, for example, a wholly-modular model has been developed involving replacement of only one defective component.

Equipment manufacturers: an increasingly-comprehensive service package

Equipment manufacturers, because innovation also presupposes a change in practices, today offer services to compement the supply of parts, components and sub-assemblies. Whether as part of a project (original genuine parts and components) or downstream through the sale of spares (recycled components) and of back-up services (maintenance, renovation projects), they provide efficient support to their customers throughout the product life cycle.