Transnet have just signed for 2000sqm, of space, where the company will be showcasing their latest offerings to the market place as they rolls out their MDS programme.

For the first time there will be rail on which exhibitors will be displaying rolling stock. The track is being installed by Tubular Track who have established an international reputation for pre-manufacturing the track system made up of twin reinforced concrete beams, linked with steel gauge bars, on which rails are continuously supported. There is no real alternative to getting your products in front of potential customers. Exhibitors now have the opportunity to do this in a dedicated area for the display of locomotives, wagons, large machines, etc.

The Gibela Rail Transport Consortium led by Alstom, a French world leader in transport infrastructure and equipment, with a presence in 100 countries will be responsible for the first phase of the rolling stock fleet renewal programme for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) worth R51 billion.

Aveng Manufacturing Infraset is well known in the rail industry for the supply of concrete sleepers and masts. During a three month period from mid-June to mid-September last year Aveng Manufacturing Infraset Railway Products supplied 48 000 precast concrete sleepers to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). Weighing a cumulative 12 400 tons, the sleepers were used in a routine maintenance programme on the 860km Saldanha/Sishen ore export line.

Aveng Manufacturing Lennings Railway Services have been involved in mechanized track maintenance since its inception, working extensively on track maintenance throughout South Africa.
DCD Ringrollers is internationally renowned as a global leader in the manufacture of seamless forged products for the rail industries. One of the largest forging companies in the southern hemisphere, DCD Ringrollers boasts the most powerful and technologically advanced seamless components manufacturing facility on the African continent.

World-class infrastructure networks are critical in terms of encouraging business innovation and improving the global competitiveness of our industries. Aurecon will be showcasing the company’s expertise and knowledge in rail, ports and coastal, aviation and urban transport and for providing the crucial links in industrial product supply chain.

These are just a few of the exhibitors participating in the upcoming event.

Exhibiting at Railways & Harbours Conference & Exhibition 2013 is one of the most efficient, effective and successful marketing activities available to you. Nothing compares to face to face meetings in business – whether creating new relationships or consolidating existing ones. Discussion, interaction and generation are the lifeblood of doing business.

Railways & Harbours Conference & Exhibition 2013 provides an opportunity for companies in the rail market to highlight their capabilities and showcase their products and services.

For further information on Railways & Harbours Conference & Exhibition 2013 contact:
Janet Coom – Exhibition Organiser
Tel: +27 31 266 7511
Fax: +27 31 266 7514
Email: janet@mediaevents.co.za
Barbara Sheat – Conference Organiser
Tel: (+27) 82 455 7640
Email: Barbara@railwaysandharbours.com
www.railwaysandharbours.com

“The challenge is for TFR to keep the locos in this condition by cleaning them on a regular basis. Regrettably the majority of their locos are in appallingly dirty condition. One speculates on the effect of this on drivers. How can one be proud of working conditions if the workplace is so disgusting? R running around the country, the trains themselves are the best advert for TFR, but what impression does a train headed by a dirty, oddly-painted locomotive create in the eyes of a potential customer?”

The existing TFR train crew uniforms are to be phased out steadily.

Actom Chairman of Transmission & Distribution Jack Rowan emphasised that his company’s focus has always been on maximising local content. Actom manufactures a number of products under licence to its international partners wherever this proves practicable, in addition to developing and manufacturing products of its own.

The agreement encompasses:

• A technology agreement that gives Actom access to Alstom Grid’s world-class transmission technologies, equipment and systems.
• A manufacturing agreement enabling Actom to manufacture specific Alstom Grid products, sub-assemblies and components under licence.
• A representation agreement giving Actom exclusive representation rights to promote, sell and support Alstom Grid products in the Southern African region.

The agreement extends an existing partnership that spans nearly half a century. Actom provides a range of support services for the large installed base of products Alstom has supplied into the Southern African market over many years.

Actom (Pty) Ltd is the largest manufacturer, repairer and distributor of electro-mechanical equipment in Africa, employing about 7,500 people with an annual order intake in excess of R7.5bn. It is a black empowered company with 42 operating units, 43 production, service and repair facilities, and 36 distribution outlets throughout Southern Africa. www.actom.co.za

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure. The group employs 92,000 people in around 100 countries.
www.alstom.com

The remaining wagon lots were sold at prices ranging from R795/ton (Lot 4 – a DZJ wagon at Ogies) to R2,509/ton (Lot 7 – 37 wagons at New Brighton, Port Elizabeth). A number of Lots were marked “Price Reduced” on the day of the sale and these went for lower prices (R795 -R1,632/ton).

The largest lot, (Lot 9 – 97 wagons at Kimberley) realised R2.58 million (R1,978/ton). In total the wagon sales realised over R13 million.

The friction bogies (Lot 51) realised R77,000 (R1,898/ton).

Finally, the dredger Piper (Lot 91) had a starting price of R3 million. Nearly 30 minutes after lots had started closing, the highest offer received was R4.77 million, but the reserve had not been reached. However, without any further bid, there was a change with the reserve now shown as being reached, and Piper was declared sold for R4.77 million. The buyer now has the responsibility and cost of making the boat seaworthy for towing and has to remove the boat from SA waters.

Footnote:
I recently did an exercise to find out how many wagons TFR have sold for scrap in their auctions. Since March 2009 to date TFR have held 40 auction sales through Go-Dove (Lots 1-3: March 2009) and Lots 1-37 (June 2009-May 2013). By my calculations TFR have offered 17,177 wagons and tankcars for sale in these auctions. However, not all wagons have been sold, and a number have been on offer more than once. I have identified 1,892 such wagons (but I suspect there are a number I have missed) and this reduces the total to 15,285. Still quite a large number! – PB

[On 22 October 2010, the following appeared in Business Day:
“Gautrain management expects 140,000 passengers a day to use the high-speed Gautrain rail service when the final phase is completed in the middle of next year” [ie 2011]. Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency, said yesterday that initial forecasts predicted 77,000 passengers a week would use the first phase between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport. In the first few months of operation, the average was about 76,000 passengers a week. ‘This is a clear indication that our forecasts were quite accurate. This gives us renewed confidence that 140,000 people would use the system each day when fully operational,’ Mr van der Merwe said.”]

The Sunday Times has raised questions about this notice, pointing out that South Africa’s Consumer Protection Act prohibits a supplier from limiting or exempting itself from liability for any loss attributable to gross negligence and from having unfair, unreasonable or unjust contract terms, including ones that are “excessively one-sided in favour of any person other than the consumer”. When asked about this, Bombela Customer Services Manager Christina Blignaut was quoted explaining that exemption clauses such as the disclaimer in question had been the “norm” across industries before the act was implemented. “Nevertheless, “she told the paper reassuringly, “We are in the process of reviewing our standard business terms and conditions to ensure that they do not contain unfair contract or prohibited terms”.

Footnote: The Consumer Protection Act came into effect in April 2011.